Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
691 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to develop a transparent scoring system to evaluate all sites put forward for the national children’s hospital to the review group; and his views on whether the scoring system should be made available to the general public in the spirit of transparent decision making. [19882/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware, I established the Review Group to consider all the possible options for the delivery of a new children's hospital. The agreed Terms of Reference for the Review Group are as follows:
"To inform itself about the planning considerations and processes affecting this project.
To consider the different options which now exist for progressing the construction of a national children's hospital having regard to—
Government policy on the delivery of health services, including accessibility and paediatric services in particular and best clinical practice considerations,
the cost and value for money considerations of the different options,
the likely timelines associated with the different options,
the implementation risks associated with the different options.
To advise the Minister, in the light of these considerations, on the appropriate next steps to take with a view to ensuring that a national paediatric hospital can be constructed with minimal delay.
To report to the Minister within 56 days of the first meeting of the group."
The aim of the Review is to consider all the possible options for the earliest possible delivery of a new children's hospital. The Review Group is not undertaking a site selection process. The Group will present its findings on each of the possible options for my consideration. I will await the completion of the Group's work and do not wish to make any further comment on the matter at this time.
