I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 42 and 69 together.
This is a very challenging year for the health services given the extreme financial pressures and public sector moratorium. However, the budget adjustments for Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street this year are significantly less than the average. The HSE is working with Tallaght Hospital to help it address its particular financial difficulties. In addition, the three Dublin paediatric hospitals work in partnership in a collective process under the clinical leadership of Dr. Colm Costigan to ensure optimisation of resources and facilities.
There has been substantial investment in paediatric services in the region in areas such as Intensive Care, Accident and Emergency Department services, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Neurology and Cardiac services. However, the challenges presented by the current infrastructure in Crumlin and Temple Street hospitals can only be fully addressed through the construction of the new National Children's Hospital. The Government is committed to building this hospital in the shortest possible time frame. In the meantime, the HSE continues to work with the three hospitals in order to prepare for the transition to the new National Paediatric Hospital.