Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
772. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans for the relocation of the Coombe maternity hospital to the St. James’s site; the progress made on this in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54831/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs announced in June 2015, the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital will in time relocate to the St James's campus, achieving tri-location of adult, paediatric and maternity services. The National Maternity Strategy, published in January 2016, reaffirms the commitment to the provision of tri-located maternity services on the campus; a site for the proposed maternity hospital is identified in the St James's campus Master Plan.
Of course the new children's hospital is currently under construction on that campus. The Deputy may however wish to note that construction of the new maternity hospital will not commence until after the new children's hospital is completed. I can confirm that the new children's hospital design has incorporated the required operational links with both the maternity and adult hospitals.
