Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 October 2022
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of the various hospital building/extension/replacement programmes in County Kildare and throughout the country with particular reference to the replacement of obsolete buildings, old-fashioned practices or facilities and the provision of a modern health service to meet the public demand of an increased population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52354/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe annual Capital Plan outlines the health capital projects which are being progressed across the country. I am happy to confirm that capital funding allocated in 2023 for the construction and equipping of healthcare facilities is €1.017 billion, an increase of 11% over 2022.
There are typically over 300 projects included in the capital plan each year across the country and across the sector. I know the Deputy is a strong advocate for capital projects in Kildare, and has a keen interest in Naas General Hospital.
By way of update, there are several projects in train at Naas General Hospital. These include the new Lakeview Mental Health Unit for which a strategic assessment report is being prepared. This will provide 50 high-quality beds, including 9 Intensive Care Beds.
Also in Naas, construction of the Modular Isolation Unit is due to complete in early Q1 2023 providing 12 rooms to assist in the isolation of suspected COVID-19 and other infectious organisms’ cases.
I am happy to follow up with the Deputy with more detailed information on capital projects in Kildare.
At national level, my Department is developing a Strategic Healthcare Investment Framework. This Framework will build on the extensive research and papers recently published by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service.
The Framework will utilise multiple criteria, including population-based requirements, in the assessment and strategic prioritisation of health investment proposals to ensure investments are evidence informed, equitable, and facilitate the delivery of improved health outcomes.
