Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Deputy Healy for raising the matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline the current situation in South Tipperary. The Deputy is aware of the background to the existing situation in respect of services at South Tipperary General Hospital and at Our Lady's Hospital in Cashel.

Agreement was reached in 1996 to amalgamate acute services in South Tipperary requiring the transfer of surgical and accident and emergency services from Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel, to South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel. This agreement provided for the development of services for older people, disability services, palliative care services and mental health services on the Cashel site. It is planned to complete the developments in Cashel in two phases. Phase 1, costing approximately €12 million, has now been completed along with the design stage of phase 2.

In recent years, significant capital investment of €30 million has been provided for the new facilities in the phase 1 development at South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel.

In September 2004 the Department of Health and Children, in the context of commissioning new units in acute hospitals throughout the country, gave approval to the then South Eastern Health Board to commission the new facilities in Clonmel. In 2005, ongoing revenue funding of €3.8 million is available to the HSE, south eastern area, to open the new facilities at South Tipperary General Hospital. This year funding of €1.3 million was provided towards the development of the Cashel sector headquarters, day hospital-day centre and a new 12-bed community residence and work is currently in progress to develop this service.

It is clear that significant capital and revenue funding has already been provided to develop services in the South Tipperary hospitals. The development of Cashel phase 2 is contingent on the transfer of surgical services to Clonmel and the provision of capital funding for the project. Phase 2 of the developments at Clonmel must also be considered in the context of the health capital investment framework.

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. This includes responsibility for the provision of services at Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel, and South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel. I understand a number of industrial relations issues are being addressed by the HSE in relation to the transfer of surgical services from Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel, to St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel. Provision of the necessary funding for the hospitals at Clonmel and Cashel is now a matter to be considered by the HSE in the context of the resources available to develop the services there.

The Tánaiste has already agreed to meet Oireachtas Members on this matter. Arrangements are being made with the Health Service Executive in this regard.

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