Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am open to the idea of having a conversation with regard to private hospitals that are available to provide capacity. My current priority, however, is providing for the needs of the HSE with regard to capacity. We should be clear that we will need that capacity beyond the end of June. That is my very strong view.

With regard to cancer screening, I met representatives of the national cancer control programme - I believe it was yesterday, it was certainly this week - to initiate a conversation about screening. I have spoken to Ms Anne O'Connor, chief operations officer of the HSE, and Dr. Colm Henry. I have asked that the screening roadmap be a part of the non-Covid framework which the HSE is due to publish within the next week. I spoke to the CEO and chairman of the HSE about this matter again this morning. I will ask that information be made available. I do not have it but it is fair for the Deputy to request it.

On the national children's hospital, the cost remains the same. I am running tight on time but, as I said earlier on, the impact of health and safety measures relating to Covid-19 on the cost of many capital projects is not yet known. It certainly requires an in-depth look rather than a representative of the construction industry just deciding in this Chamber what it will look like and then having to retract that.

With regard to the flu vaccine, I will ask NPHET, as the Deputy has requested.

I cannot give the Deputy the assurance he requests in respect of the National Maternity Hospital because I am in the middle of a global pandemic. I welcome the fact that a letter has issued from the nuns but the matter will have to go through due diligence and proper scrutiny and return to the Government before it is decided to proceed. I outlined very clearly the tests I want to see met before the hospital project proceeds. Those tests still apply. I welcome the letter but it needs to be legally and robustly scrutinised.

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