Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our Lady's Hospice and Care Services receives €23.7 million in annual funding from the HSE to fund all of its services. The HSE is responsible for the management of the health care of the State and the delivery of approved capital projects, all of which must be approved in advance of development commencing and comply with normal public service governance and accountability requirements.

The capital funding, the HSE has told me, is now already fully committed and unfortunately at this point there are no additional uncommitted funds available to meet the current request from Our Lady's Hospice. However, it may be possible to provide a contribution to future phases, and I believe the HSE could encourage it, subject to funds being available at the relevant time and normal procedure and governance conditions being followed.

I am glad to note Our Lady's Hospice management team and the HSE are fully engaged. Any future information and documentation will be provided within the timelines for future relevant funding decisions. I will, of course, commit to bringing the concerns of Deputies to the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, in regard to ensuring that the next phase is positively considered.

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