Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
989. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the negotiations around site ownership and governance of the planned new national maternity hospital; if a timeframe has been set for the completion of these negotiations; and if an alternative site is under consideration should this timeline not be met. [52777/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1132. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the national maternity hospital; if there is a date by which negotiations are expected to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53348/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 989 and 1132 together.
The Government is committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) planned for the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus at Elm Park, as set out in the Programme for Government.
The proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new National Maternity Hospital were set out in the Mulvey Agreement, which was finalised in 2016 following an extensive mediation process between the NMH and St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG). A draft legal framework has been developed to copperfasten the clinical and operational independence of the new hospital, and to ensure the protection of the State’s investment.
Work is ongoing to finalise the legal arrangements. However, as I have clarified previously, I will not be making any further comment until the process has concluded.
