Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
364. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the new national maternity hospital; and when a legal agreement on retaining this hospital in public ownership will be reached. [11412/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the grant of planning permission for the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) on the St. Vincent's University Hospital campus, the Design Team is continuing to work on the detailed design of the hospital and the preparation of tender documents.
I can assure the Deputy that we are making progress on the draft legal framework which will ensure that the State's significant investment in the new maternity hospital will be protected. While completion of the detailed legal agreement will require further engagement between both hospitals, the HSE and my Department, I can confirm that a broad understanding has been reached on the way forward. This will protect the State's resources in investing in this important project and it will also further underpin the operational independence of the maternity hospital. The Deputy will, I hope, appreciate that pending finalisation of agreement between all stakeholders, it is premature for me to give any further information at this point.
