Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will endeavour to answer Deputy Connolly's question specifically. She is correct that in May I gave my approval to the Saolta University Healthcare Group to conduct an options appraisal in respect of the future acute hospital needs in Galway. The structure of the hospital groups is such that my approval is not required for such an analysis to be carried out. It is the responsibility of the hospital groups to carry out analyses of their needs. The whole idea of establishing these groups was to avoid having everything being done centrally and to have the Saolta group and all other hospital groups examine their needs. Nonetheless, I assured the Saolta group that any funding costs it incurred would be met and that continues to be the position.

As part of the appraisal, the Saolta group is undertaking a medium-term planning project to assess the population health needs for University Hospital Galway's catchment to inform existing and future service needs. I am informed by the group that this process will be completed by mid-2018. I would welcome its completion as soon as possible, as would Deputy Connolly, because any further investment in Saolta hospitals will have to be considered by the Health Service Executive based on the strategic priorities put forward by the Saolta University Healthcare Group. For this reason, we need to hear from the group what are its priority projects for further investment.

In the interim, I have requested the Saolta group to provide a short-term plan for the University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park sites to maximise the effective use of both hospital sites to meet the demand for care. The Deputy indicated to me previously that more could be done, even on a short-term basis, on the Merlin Park site.

The Deputy clearly does not want me to speak about a number of other investments made in the Galway area. However, a new 75-bed ward block was recently completed at University Hospital Galway and a new acute mental health department is expected to be operational by the end of 2017. Planning is also under way for a new emergency department at University Hospital Galway. I instinctively share the Deputy's view that the Saolta group needs to revert with its appraisal of its future options. We have given it approval to complete this task and its work is under way. I am informed the work will be completed by the middle of 2018. The appraisal will inform us of what further investments we can and must make in Galway.

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