Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2004
102 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health and Children the position concerning the proposed new community hospital for Tuam; when the Government will commit funding to the project; the amount of funding that has been spent on the project to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7313/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is presumed that the Deputy is referring to the Bon Secours site in Tuam. As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in the Galway area is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the Western Health Board. The board has submitted to my Department a proposal to develop a health campus on the Bon Secours site in Tuam. Expenditure to date is €3,997,277.
My Department is currently examining the health capital programme for 2004 and beyond to ascertain what new projects can be progressed through either planning or construction stages, taking account of existing commitments and overall funding resources available. It is in this context that my Department will continue to liaise with the Western Health Board regarding the proposed development in Tuam in the light of the board's overall capital funding priorities.
