Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020
758. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which he expects to meet the requirements of the hospital building programme including that which refers to Naas General Hospital and all other hospitals nationwide in respect of which planning permission has been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27259/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure and has advised that funding has been provided to progress the Day Procedures/Endoscopy, Oncology and Physical Therapy Unit at Naas General Hospital in 2020, and specifically capital funding has been made available to appoint technical consultants to progress the project.
It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.
The final decision to proceed with the construction of a project cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal delivers value for money and remains affordable, and that sufficient funding is available to fund the project to completion, including equipping and commissioning costs.
At present the draft Capital Plan 2020 is being reviewed and revised to take account of the impact of Covid-19 which resulted in delays on many projects and the funding of an emergency Covid-19 programme of works. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2020, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.
