Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services, including its capital programme. The progression of phase 2b of the Midland Regional Hospital must be considered in that context.

The necessary funds to progress phase 2b form part of the funding provided to the HSE in the capital envelope of the capital investment framework for 2005 to 2009. The hospital is being developed in phases. Phase 1 was completed in 1989 and phase 2a in 1997, at a cost of €13 million.

Phase 2a included "shelled-out"— external walls, floors and roof — accommodation for completion, or "fit-out", in phase 2b, the final phase of the current redevelopment programme, which is at the design stage.

The "shelled-out" accommodation is on four floors over the existing radiology department and a single floor over the existing entrance concourse. It was provided for future ward accommodation and an operating department. The accommodation was provided as part of the phase 2a contract as a long-term, value-for-money construction solution, which will minimise disruption to existing functioning accommodation during the phase 2b construction works contract.

The Department approved the Midland Health Board's stage 2 submission — development control plan — proceeding to stage 3 — sketch design and cost plan — for phase 2b in September 2004. It is anticipated that stage 3 will be complete in mid 2005. Phase 2b includes the fit-out of the "shelled" accommodation, together with additional accommodation to provide a pathology department, an operating department, general medical wards, a medicine for the elderly and rehabilitation unit, general surgical wards, day services, including surgery, administration accommodation, staff accommodation, an acute psychiatric unit, a child and adolescent psychiatric unit, an occupational therapy department, catering facilities, educational facilities and a new entrance concourse.

The executive is currently finalising its proposals under the CIF in line with the procedures set down by the Department of Finance. That process will be completed in the coming weeks. However, the Tánaiste is aware that the procurement priority for phase 2b has always been the fit-out of the "shelled-out" ward accommodation, as the first stage, to provide additional beds, and it is anticipated that this stage will be complete in late 2006.

The delivery of the balance of phase 2b following the first-stage fit-out mentioned is also being considered by the HSE in the context of determining capital priorities to be progressed in 2005 and beyond, in line with overall funding resources available.

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