The proposed new Emergency Department (ED) and Women & Children’s project is a large and complex project, which is in the early stages of design progression.
Originally, the proposal was for a new multistorey ED block, likely costing in the tens of millions, but now, driven by local requirements and the need to build more efficiently on a constricted site, the Department of Health expects to receive proposals costed in the hundreds of millions. Since the scale, complexity, and investment proposed now is much greater than the original proposal, this major project must be subject to the necessary scrutiny under the Public Spending Code (PSC) for projects in excess of €100m.
The PSC is designed to ensure that investment decisions are underpinned by a clear policy rationale, and that costs are well understood. In 2019, the PSC was updated and introduced a new project lifecycle, tightening the arrangements for project decision-making, and clarifying the roles of the parties involved including the responsibilities for Sponsoring Agencies and Approving Authorities.
These are defined processes in which all Departments and agencies are subject to and must follow to ensure that Government, as the approving authority for all major projects, can be satisfied that the project is the best means to achieve a policy goal and that we achieve maximum value for money for the taxpayer.
The HSE is nearing completion of drafting a Strategic Assessment Report, to ensure full compliance with PSC requirements for the more substantial proposals. It is now expected to be submitted to my Department by early Q3 2022 for review and, if Departmental review is successful, to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (D/PER) for review in due course in line with PSC Gate 0 requirements. This additional scrutiny, required under the PSC, can ensure fuller risk mitigation, early identification of potential obstacles, and smoother execution of later stages of the project lifecycle.
If approval-in principle is granted, the preliminary business case can be updated by the HSE and be brought forward for PSC Gate 1 review.
Meanwhile, approval was given for the Galway University Hospital interim emergency department, including additional resuscitation spaces, support accommodation and improved infection prevention and control measures. This is currently under construction using a rapid build solution. The critical services are now expected to be completed in the coming weeks (July 2022). This interim ED and associated works will also serve as enabling works for the larger project; freeing up the site required for the proposed new block.
