Written Answers Nos. 309-330
309. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 29 January 2019, the funding for e-hubs provided for entrepreneurship and start-ups in each local authority and local enterprise office by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8360/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs stated in my previous reply to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 29 January 2019, while there is no specific funding stream for ehubs, in terms of developing regional ehubs, a number of projects which have been offered funding under, for example, the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, are already prototype ehubs and should develop over time into more sustainable ehubs in their own right. The relevant projects funded as part of the first and second Calls of the REDF that I launched in December 2017 and December 2018 are set out in the following tables.
In the context of the further development of ehubs, as envisaged in Project Ireland 2040, in support of efforts to expand entrepreneurship and start-ups in every region, Enterprise Ireland is addressing the need to expand and further develop co-working initiatives including through existing community enterprise centres.
REDF funding for eHubs/Enterprise Spaces/Incubation/Food-Hubs/Co-Working
Call 1
|
Name |
Region |
County/Counties |
Funding Amount |
|
RDI Hub CLG |
South-West |
Kerry |
€3,614,669 |
|
Dublin Enterprise & Technology Centre |
Dublin |
Dublin |
€3,226,776 |
|
BIA Innovator Campus CLG |
West |
Galway |
€2,466,148 |
|
Ghala DAC |
Dublin |
Dublin |
€2,488,528 |
|
Donegal Digital Innovation CLG |
North-West |
Donegal |
€1,119,640 |
|
Leitrim County Enterprise Fund |
North-West |
Leitrim, Longford, Cavan |
€1,284,000 |
|
Insurtech Network Centre DAC |
South-East |
Carlow, Wexford |
€1,439,832 |
|
Cork Urban Enterprises |
West |
Cork |
€669,064 |
|
County Kildare Community Network |
Mid-East |
Kildare |
€1,917,200 |
|
Monaghan County Enterprise Fund |
North-East |
Monaghan |
€202,800 |
|
Sneem Innovation & Tech Services |
South-West |
Kerry |
€250,000 |
|
Mol Teic CLG |
South-West |
Kerry |
€189,144 |
|
Social & Local Enterprise Alliance DAC |
Dublin |
Dublin |
€1,135,195 |
Call 2
|
Name |
Region |
County/Counties |
Funding Amount |
|
Galway City Innovation District CLG |
West |
Galway |
€2,487,400 |
|
Midc Páirc Na Mara |
West |
Galway |
€2,000,000 |
|
Ludgate Operations CLG |
South-West |
Cork |
€1,990,392 |
|
Vista Agri 4.0 Hub CLG |
South-West |
Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Tipperary |
€1,865,215 |
|
National Design Innovation Hub DAC |
South-East |
Kilkenny, Carlow |
€1,843,320 |
|
Boyne Valley Food Innovation District |
Mid-East |
Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth |
€1,580,640 |
|
Mountmellick Development Association |
Midlands |
Laois |
€218,200 |
|
Offaly Innovation & Design Centre CLG |
Midlands |
Offaly |
€458,600 |
|
Innovate Limerick T/A Hospital Food Units DAC |
Mid-West |
Limerick, Clare, Tipperary |
€2,279,073 |
|
Innovate Dublin Communities CLG |
Dublin |
Dublin |
€249,955 |
|
SPADE CLG |
Dublin |
Dublin |
€2,094,000 |
|
Leitrim Food Enterprise Zone CLG |
North-West |
Leitrim, Cavan, Sligo, Donegal |
€953,640 |
|
Sligo County Enterprise Fund CLG |
North-West |
Sligo, Mayo, Leitrim |
€1,906,640 |
310. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applicants and participants in Brexit schemes and supports provided by her Department or agencies under her remit in tabular form; and the amount allocated to and expended by each such scheme in each year since being established. [8406/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and its agencies are working to provide extensive supports, schemes and advice to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. These measures aim to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken over the coming weeks.
In addition to the direct supports outlined in the following table, my Department and I have been very active in the 'Getting Ireland Brexit Ready' public information campaign. This campaign includes workshop events throughout the country aimed primarily at business and people most impacted by Brexit. Officials from my Department and agencies also participated in the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready events, which included Enterprise Ireland, IDA, the LEOs, NSAI and the HSA.
Further to the table below, increased funding has been allocated to Brexit-related support from my Department and its agencies as part of Budget 2019. An additional €5 million capital funding has been allocated to the Local Enterprise Offices, an increase of 22%, and a further €1 million allocated to InterTrade Ireland to help SMEs prepare for the particular North-South challenges associated with Brexit. Additional resources have also been distributed across Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority.
Work continues on the development of the Future Growth Loan Scheme, which will provide a longer-term facility, 8 to 10 years, of up to €300m to support strategic capital investment for a post-Brexit environment by business at competitive rates. SBCI open call to financial institution for the designation as lending partner has closed on 11 February and it is expected that the Scheme will become available in early 2019.
While many businesses have taken preparedness actions, a number have yet to do so. It is vital that businesses prepare themselves for Brexit impacts and take actions to mitigate. Firms that do business with the UK, whether buying goods or exporting products, should examine their supply chains to determine their vulnerabilities and take appropriate action.
|
Scheme |
Uptake as at 31 January |
|
Brexit Loan Scheme |
433 applications received, 386 approved by SBCI, 81 Loans progressed to sanction at bank level to a value of €17.32 million (this figure as at 18 February) |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Scorecard - online platform for Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit |
4,062 Brexit Scorecards have been completed. 722 LEO clients have completed the scorecard. |
|
Enterprise Ireland Be Prepared Grant |
156 Be Prepared Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Market Discovery Fund - A support to EI clients to research new markets |
241 projects have been approved under this initiative |
|
Enterprise Ireland Agile Innovation Fund - Gives rapid fast-track access to innovation funding |
40 Agile Innovation projects have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Advisory Clinics |
11 Brexit Advisory Clinics have been run with approx. 915 in attendance |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit “Act On Programme” – A support funding the engagement of a consultant to devise report with recommendations to help clients address weaknesses and improve resilience |
190 “Act on” Plans have been completed |
|
Enterprise Ireland Strategic Consultancy Grant – A grant to assist EI clients to hire a strategic consultant for a set period |
1,053 Strategic Consultancy Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit-exposed companies that have completed sustainable growth plans |
739 |
|
Local Enterprise Office Technical Assistance Grant for Micro Export - an incentive for LEO clients to explore and develop new market opportunities |
431 clients were approved assistance under the Technical Assistance Grant |
|
Local Enterprise Office LEAN for Micro - The LEO Lean4Micro offer was developed in collaboration between the EI Lean department and the LEOs to tailor the EI Lean offer for LEO micro enterprise clients |
221 LEO clients have participated in the programme |
|
Local Enterprise Office Mentoring |
479 mentoring participants solely focused on Brexit |
|
Local Enterprise Office Brexit Seminars/Events |
4,054 Participants at the Brexit Information events |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Advisory Service |
515 SMEs have directly engaged with the Brexit Advisory Service in 2019. This is in addition to the 4,175 engagements in 2018. |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Start to Plan Vouchers |
There have been 945 applications, with 789 approved and 16 still pending assessment. |
311. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the meetings she has had with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport since becoming Minister regarding increasing ferry shipping capacity and infrastructure development at Irish ports including roll-on and roll-off facilities for businesses exporting to continental Europe in the event of a no-deal Brexit in tabular form; the funding allocated and spent annually since the Brexit referendum on increasing shipping capacity and infrastructure development at Irish ports including roll-on and roll-off facilities; the contingencies and supports in place for trading enterprises in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and if a request has been made to the European Commission for state aid flexibility in this regard in order to support exposed exporting companies that will incur increased costs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. [8407/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have engaged in regular meetings with all my Ministerial colleagues regarding a wide variety of Brexit implications since the announcement of the UK to leave the EU. However, investment in Irish shipping capacity and infrastructure is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to address.
In relation to State Aid, my Department and its agencies have been working closely with the EU Commission and DG Competition since November 2017 through the Irish/EU Technical Working Group on State Aid. The objective of the Group is to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with State Aid rules. Much has been achieved by this Working Group. It has examined and explored a range of opportunities within State Aid rules including the development of the Future Growth Loan Scheme under GBER rules, the expansion of Ireland’s Rescue and Restructuring Scheme to include Temporary liquidity aid and the Group is currently working closely with DG Agri to explore the range of opportunities under the Agriculture and Forestry State aid guidelines. It has looked at regionally important, exposed clients and their building resilience in their response to Brexit by using environmental and innovation aid.
On 24th January 2019, I met with the European Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager. The focus of the meeting centered around the severe challenges that Irish businesses will face when the UK leaves the EU and the need for appropriate and timely State supports. It was agreed that Irish officials will continue to work closely with the Commissioner's team in addressing any State aid issues that may arise to ensure a rapid and appropriate response as the ultimate shape of Brexit and its firm-level implication become known. The Commissioner emphasized that the Commission stands ready to act urgently in mitigation against the impacts of Brexit on Irish firms.
312. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to cost overruns on contracts within her Department with a value in excess of €10 million that came in more than 10% over budget in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8416/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to point out to the Deputy that the majority of the capital expenditure under my Department’s vote is not project focussed but rather is mainly by way of grants to support the multi-annual programmes of our enterprise development and innovation agencies.
The Enterprise Development supports are mainly by way of grants to our Enterprise Agencies such as the IDA to enable them to attract Foreign Direct Investment and to EI, the Local Enterprise Offices and Intertrade Ireland to enable them to support local indigenous and cross border businesses to start, scale and export. My Department’s Jobs and Enterprise Development Programme also supports a number of specific initiatives in the area of access to finance for SMEs and other indigenous businesses.
The Innovation supports are mainly to research focussed bodies such as SFI, Enterprise Ireland, the Tyndall Institute, and supporting Ireland’s membership of International Research Organisations such as the European Space Agency, the European Southern Observatory and other Research focussed Agencies.
The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that the nature of my Department’s capital expenditure is programme rather than project focused.
The capital allocations to my Department for the years referred to in the Deputy’s question are set out in the following Table:
|
Year |
Capital Allocation |
|
2016 |
€503m |
|
2017 |
€555m |
|
2018 |
€555m |
|
2019 |
€620m |
While my Department did not incur an excess on its capital allocations in any of the years in question, the Department has had Supplementary Estimates in 2016, 2017 and 2018. The Supplementary Estimates in 2017 and 2018 were technical in their nature and essentially permitted the redistribution of savings within our Vote to other priorities/new initiatives. The 2016 Supplementary Estimate also permitted the Department to redistribute savings from within our Vote but also provided the Department with an additional €35m in Savings on other Votes in that year. Again, this allowed funding to be provided to priority/new initiatives in 2016. Some of the priority/new initiatives funded through the aforementioned redistributions included providing a further tranche of funding to Microfinance Ireland in 2016, funding the launch of the Brexit Loan Scheme in 2017 and funding the launch of the first phase of the Future Growth Loan Scheme in 2018.
313. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of State contracts that were not awarded to the lowest tender or bid in each year since 2011 to date in her Department or by bodies under the aegis of her Department; the reason the lowest tender or bid was not chosen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8800/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to provide a reply in the time available. I will provide a reply to the Deputy once it has been collated.
314. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health his plans to legislate for the production of a crop (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7814/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder current legislation - the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016, and the Regulations made thereunder- it is an offence to cultivate, import, export, produce, supply and possess cannabis except in accordance with a Ministerial licence. A related piece of Irish legislation, the Misuse of Drugs (Designation) Order 2017, limits the purposes for which such licences for cannabis can be issued, for example for forensic analysis or research - including research involving the cultivation of cannabis for use in approved clinical trials.
Policy to date has not permitted the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes and no licences have been issued for this activity. However recent developments on access to cannabis for medical use may prompt a review of this position in the future.
However, the Department's priority at this time is the sourcing of suitable quality approved, affordable, finished cannabis products for medical purposes.
315. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the details of the four-year lookback rule in respect of HSE employees seeking to avail of sick pay; if the maximum number of sick days availed of in the rolling four-year period is 183 paid sick days or a combination of 183 paid and unpaid sick days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8022/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
316. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not had a response from CAMHS and consultants when contacted; the steps the person should take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8164/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
317. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of respite care for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7664/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
318. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will be requested to amend the file of a person (details supplied) to reflect an illness diagnosed in 1994 and 1995 in view of the fact that his or her file does not include same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7674/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recording of a diagnosis, and other clinical details on a patient's healthcare record, is an issue between the patient and his clinician and not an issue in which I can have any involvement. It is my understanding that if a patient wishes to have their clinical record amended, the patient may make such a request to the individual hospital concerned and/or the HSE Data Protection Office.
319. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 662 of 15 January 2019, if the changes referred to will not impact on the range of services provided or the access criteria for the services in view of the experience of previous clients of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7681/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy has already received the confirmation required in the HSE response to PQ No. 54508/18 which indicates that "the reorganisation of the governance structure of the Youth Health Service (YHS) will not impact in any way on the range of services provided or the access criteria for these services".
320. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the role played by a company (details supplied) in evaluating the tenders for the national children's hospital; if conflicts of interest exist with the main contractor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7683/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding price comparisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7732/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 330 together.
The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board which has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building, furnishing and equipping the new children's hospital has advised me that the company in question played no role in evaluating tenders for the children's hospital.
The HSE commissioned the review by the company in question into the cost escalation relating to the new children's hospital project. Accordingly, regarding the issue of any potential conflict between that company and the Main Contractor, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
321. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the findings of research undertaken by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics into the potential effect of broadening the health technology criteria for assessing orphan drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7690/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) that it periodically conducts and publishes peer reviewed research in the area of Health Technology Assessments. This research is to ensure that the methods used are robust and are in line with best practice. More recent research has examined the methods used for orphan drug evaluation and tested a number of measures that have been used in other countries for evaluation of this group of technologies.
The NCPE has advised that the research is due for publication later this year and that it would be happy to share the findings once published.
322. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has reviewed the possible impact of Brexit on patients accessing healthcare in the UK under the cross-border directive; and his plans to deal with all eventualities. [7693/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the cross-border directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7738/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 331 together.
The HSE operates the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) in Ireland. Patients in Ireland can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA member state for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland. The patient may access the overseas service in either the public or private health sector of the EU/EEA member state they choose to receive the service in. The patient pays for the treatment and claims reimbursement from the HSE at the cost of that treatment in Ireland or the cost of it abroad, whichever is the lesser.
As part of a whole of Government response to Brexit, the Department of Health is working to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated set of preparations to ensure continuity of health services post-Brexit.
Work is ongoing to ensure that insofar as possible there is minimum disruption to health services and that essential services are maintained on a Cross-Border, all-island and Ireland-UK basis.
It should also be noted that post-Brexit, patients in Ireland can continue to seek to be referred to the remaining EU/EEA member states for treatment under the CBD.
323. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to review a matter (details supplied) in regard to HSE spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7695/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), World Health Organisation and Eurostat have developed the System of Health Accounts which allows comparable estimates of health expenditure to be made between countries.
The System of Health Accounts provides a standard framework for producing a set of comprehensive, consistent and internationally comparable estimates of health expenditure. Total health expenditure for the United Kingdom is reported under this system. Comparable expenditure by regions of the UK is not published. Therefore, it is not currently possible to undertake a direct comparison between health expenditure in Ireland and Scotland.
There are a variety of factors that need to be considered/adjusted for when comparing health systems between countries. These include:
- Variances in how System of Health Accounts expenditure data is compiled across countries;
- Population health, age structure and behavioural characteristics;
- The basis on which the health system is organised, provided, and financed; and,
- Wider issues such as the size and structure of the economy.
The Department is undertaking work to examine how the system of health accounts expenditure data can be better employed to undertake cross-country comparative analysis with OECD countries. This will be published when it has been finalised.
324. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a procedure in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7696/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
325. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the alternative local supports being put in place due to the crisis situation at a centre (details supplied); the status of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7722/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
326. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the hours of service each day of Caredoc in south County Tipperary and Shannondoc in north County Tipperary; the location of the service in each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7723/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra327. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of calls received by Caredoc in south County Tipperary and Shannondoc in north County Tipperary in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the number of those calls attended by the general practitioner on duty; the number instructed to attend accident and emergency departments; the number for which an ambulance was requested; the number that received a phone call or phone calls only for the same period in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7724/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners on duty in Caredoc, south County Tipperary and Shannondoc in north County Tipperary, respectively, between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m; the number of calls each service received in 2018 between these times; the number referred to accident and emergency departments; the number that received a call out from the general practitioner; the number that had an ambulance called out to attend; the number that received a phone call only between these times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7835/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 326, 327 and 352 together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
328. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the status of the approval of the drug Spinraza for availability under the general medical services system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7727/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra383. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if the drug known as Spinraza will be made available to persons with spinal muscular atrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8009/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra388. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when Spinraza treatment will be rolled out to persons with spinal muscular atrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8028/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra395. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a drug (details supplied) will be made available. [8119/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra415. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on making Spinraza available to children with spinal muscular atrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8205/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra434. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of the application for reimbursement for Nusinersen for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy; if he has engaged with the HSE in an effort to advance this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8324/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 328, 383, 388, 395, 415 and 434 together.
The Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The Act specifies the criteria to be applied in the making of reimbursement decisions which include the clinical and cost effectiveness of the product, the opportunity cost and the impact on resources that are available to the HSE.
I am advised by the HSE that the application for the reimbursement of Nusinersen (Spinraza) was considered by HSE Leadership at a meeting on 12 February 2019 and that the HSE is in the process of communicating its decision to the relevant company.
329. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of the next phase in the development of the Sheil Hospital to provide an 80-bed community hospital within the campus in Ballyshannon, County Donegal; if the estimated €19 million has been put in place to carry out the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7731/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra343. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of the next phase in the development of the Sheil Community Hospital to provide an 80 bed community hospital within the health campus in Ballyshannon, County Donegal; if the estimated €19 million has been put in place to carry out the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7800/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 343 together.
My Department and the Health Service Executive are currently engaged in a process to finalise the HSE Capital Plan for 2019. The HSE Capital Plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the total available capital funding and the relevant priority of each project.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructureprojects, I have asked the HSE to outline the current status of the development of a community nursing unit at Ballyshannon, County Donegal directly to the Deputy.
