Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The board's remit is to put the new hospital in place to have it operational in 2012. I was happy to hear from the chairman and the board members, whom I met on Monday, that they believe that ambitious deadline can be met. Among the functions of the board is to work on the transfer from the three existing hospitals. No tertiary facilities exist at Tallaght. Those that were there moved to Crumlin Hospital some time ago. I understand that between 80% and 85% of the patients treated in Tallaght will continue to be treated there. The facility will operate from 8 a.m. to midnight. There will also be an ambulance service to transfer patients who need to be transferred to the tertiary facility at the Mater. The volume of activity in Tallaght will increase substantially depending on whether there are one or two additional centres on the south side and maybe the west of Dublin but that has not been determined yet. I am happy to furnish the Deputy with a copy of the list of the activities envisaged in the ambulatory care centre in Tallaght Hospital.

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