Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Donnelly has asked an important question. It is something on which we agree. I want to see all our stand-alone maternity hospitals co-located with acute adult hospitals. It is in the national maternity strategy. The hospital that has a large allocation this year is the National Maternity Hospital Holles Street which is moving to St. Vincent's. It is a project dear to both our hearts and those of our constituents.

The point that I was making at the Select Committee on Health last week was that the priority investment this year is to do some upgrading of existing theatres in the Coombe. I will not be partisan on this. I agree with the Deputy that if we can move ahead with some of the provisional design and planning, and perhaps preparatory phases before that, we should do that this year so that we are ready to move.

Let me be clear. The Coombe is moving to St. James's. It needs to for the purpose of tri-location. I do not disagree with Professor Fitzpatrick, the former master of the Coombe, on that. We are going through our capital planning process now so I will not give a commitment on the floor of the Dáil this evening, but I will engage further with the Deputy on this. He has made a valid point that a very small allocation this year is probably all that is required to go forward with design and planning. I will certainly look at that.

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