Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I will be taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children.

Stage one of the phase 2B capital development at Mullingar began in October 2006 and is scheduled to be completed next month. The completion of this phase of the project, costing over €23 million, will increase the bed complement at the hospital from 215 to 244, which is an increase of 29 beds. This phase of the project includes a fit-out of the existing ward shells to provide a new paediatric ward, a new day surgery and gynaecology ward, a new obstetric ward and a new medical ward, incorporating an acute stroke unit; refurbishment of the existing paediatric and obstetric wards to provide surgical and medical wards and a palliative care unit; an extension of the existing facilities to accommodate an interim special care baby unit adjacent to the new paediatric ward; and substantial completion of the proposed infrastructural road and car park network, together with any associated drainage works and utility diversions. The Health Service Executive has advised that these works are completed and that the ward areas are now fully occupied.

In addition, the HSE also granted approval for the refurbishment of two further wards in the existing hospital, that is, a medical and surgical ward and a delivery and gynaecology ward. This work is due to be completed next month.

With regard to stage 2, the HSE, in drawing up its capital programme, is required to prioritise the capital infrastructure projects to be developed within its overall capital funding allocation under the national development plan. This must take account of the NDP targets for the division of capital investment between the acute and primary, community and continuing care pillars. The HSE is currently considering its capital plans from 2009 onwards, and these will soon be submitted to the Department of Health and Children for consideration and approval in the normal way. Details on individual projects will be made available when the capital plan is approved.

See this speech in context