Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The overdrafts were in the Revised Estimates published early last year.

With regard to Deputy Gregory's question, the Mater-Temple Street project will cost almost €500 million. It will comprise a major proportion of the HSE's capital programme for several years. Tertiary paediatric facilities in the Dublin area are provided at Crumlin, Tallaght, Beaumont and Temple Street hospitals. Paediatricians, therefore, are spread around the four hospitals to look after sick children. That does not make sense for tertiary treatment in the city or the State. Every paediatrician to whom I have spoken has voiced this opinion.

The review of tertiary paediatric services established by Professor Drumm will be completed by 31 January. The Mater and Temple Street hospitals have sought approval to proceed with the construction of a carpark. Professor Drumm recently met the hospital authorities and informed them that this application is on hold pending the outcome of the paediatric review. There is no point spending €200 million of taxpayers' money on a tertiary facility if it is not appropriate to our needs.

See this speech in context