Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1909. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that a site has now been identified for the building of a new elective hospital for Cork; the location of the site; the estimated timeline for the design, applying for planning and building of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43606/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2021, the Government agreed a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy. This aims to change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged and ensure greater capacity in the future. It will also help to address waiting lists on a national level through the provision of dedicated, standalone facilities in Cork, Galway and Dublin.
The development of the elective hospital proposals is following the process outlined in the updated Public Spending Code. This sets out the value for money requirements for the evaluation, planning, and management of large public investment projects. A Programme Preliminary Business Case has been reviewed by my Department and shared with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A project-level Preliminary Business Case for Cork is now complete and is being reviewed under the newly introduced External Assurance Process. This review is nearing completion and feedback is being incorporated as required. It is expected that the Business Case will be submitted for review by the Department of Public Expenditure’s Major Projects Advisory Group shortly. Once these processes are concluded, a Memorandum will be brought to Government for its consideration/approval, including a recommendation on a site option.
In parallel, work has also commenced to ensure a smooth transition to next phase of Public Spending Code Gate 2 - Detailed Project Design, Planning and Procurement and to ensure the necessary structures and workstreams can be progressed at pace, including articulating the clinical service and operating model including separation of scheduled and unscheduled care pathways, procurement strategy, design for planning approvals and stakeholder engagement arrangements.
It is not possible to estimate timeline for the design, applying for planning and building of the new facilities; however, based on current plans it is intended that they will be fully operational no later than 2027.
