Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

When will the long promised new facility at St. Vincent's hospital go to tender? When will construction start because the date has been a moveable feast? In January 2008, the Minister informed the House it would be open by 2010 but in the recent debate in this House in April, she said 2011. Will she clarify when it will go to tender and when construction will start?

It is my information that two weeks ago, 34 cystic fibrosis patients were accommodated in St. Vincent's hospital, primarily in St. Christopher's ward, which includes the eight isolation units, and in St. Paul's ward, which has accommodation for 22 patients. It is my information that St. Paul's ward, which deals especially with respiratory patients, is scheduled to close today. Will the Minister clarify what facilities will be available to cystic fibrosis patients in the coming weeks if this ward closes as of today in accordance with the information received by me?

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