National Children's Hospital Location

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (1862)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1862. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the future location of the children's hospital remains to be decided; if the concerns of the general public and the recommendations of the various stakeholders are being adequately examined and weighed against the need to ensure that the location of the hospital and the quality and the extent of services to be provided there are in line with children's needs and those of their parents; if he will ensure that the hospital will be located so as to present the easiest possible access from all vantage points; if he will indicate when he expects to be able to make a decision and-or announcement on the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39309/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As you will be aware, I established an independent Review Group to consider the implications of the decision of An Bórd Pleanála, received on 23 February 2012, to reject the planning application for the proposed construction of a national paediatric hospital on the site of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. The aim of the Review was to consider all the possible options for the earliest possible delivery of a new children's hospital. The Review considered all the possible options 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.

In June, the Group presented its report, to which I have been giving careful consideration and which I intend to bring to Government shortly.