Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
50 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has made an estimate of the amount required to bring into operation facilities in the health service that are built but not yet commissioned; if his Department has an estimate of the amount of public money spent on these facilities; the steps he is taking to secure the funding to allow them to be brought into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18357/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraVarious funding issues, including the commissioning of new units, featured in the discussions during the 2004 Estimates campaign and have also arisen in the normal contacts between officials of my Department and the Department of Finance.
A proposal for the opening of new units that are completed or nearing completion, but not yet commissioned were recently developed by my Department. Discussions are taking place between the two Departments in relation to the revenue costs of the proposal and the impact of the proposal on staffing levels. The proposal estimated that the revenue cost of opening these new units was in the region of €35 million in 2004, with additional costs of €48 million in 2005 and €16 million in 2006 to enable the units to be funded on a full-year basis. The estimated capital cost required to bring these projects to commissioning stage is approximately €25 million. The capital cost to date on these facilities has been approximately €440 million. Some of these units are already partially in use as they are replacing old and outdated facilities.
