I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together.
Future investment in hospitals must be considered within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs, having regard to the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place.
During 2017 my Department will work with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to conduct a mid-term review of the capital programme. My Department will also conduct a Bed Capacity Review which will assess projected health care needs over the next decade and the associated infrastructural requirements to meet these needs.