Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The update we have been given is that planning permission has been secured, which the Deputies already know. The design team is finalising a detailed design, including a fire safety certificate and a disability access certificate with a view to having a stage 2C report submitted to HSE local estates review in the coming weeks. Approval will be sought to proceed to issue tender documents.

There were two specific questions. Deputies have been told the stage 2C report support will be submitted to HSE local estates for review in the coming weeks and asked when that will happen. Following on from that, I referred to the approval process. More particularly, there were questions about when this will go out to tender and get to a point where the appointment of the contractor takes place, with construction under way.

I will revert to the Minister for Health, under whom this falls, to get responses to those specific points. The process is under way. The TDs for the area and for Galway want replies on those specific points. If they wish to submit a collective submission to the Minister and Department, we can also follow up on that. Perhaps they might take a joint approach. Deputy John Connolly referred to the barracks in Athlone. We will follow up on that too if he drops a note to the Department and the Minister. I want to be in some way constructive and assist the Deputies in a practical way.

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