Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important matter. For the past ten years or more, phase 2B of Longford-Westmeath General Hospital has been a bone of contention to the people of the area it serves. As Deputy for County Westmeath for almost four years, I wish to ensure that the Government continues to make progress in its commitment to this vital service in the midlands. I welcome the vital steps that have already been taken in progressing phase 2B. I thank the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, for the commitment she has given and the Taoiseach for taking a personal interest in the first part of phase 2B, which involves the shelled out section at Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar.

An announcement was made last month that preparations were at an advanced stage for the tendering process. This has been advertised in the EU Journal, in which a prior indicative notice, PIN, was published. The scope of the tender is for the fit-out of the existing shelled wards, refurbishment of the existing wards and associated works, and the construction of new surface car parks and associated external works. This is an important step in the development of the facilities at Longford-Westmeath General Hospital. The efforts made by public representatives of all political parties in the area are paying off at least. To leave a shelled out building in any area for ten years causes anxiety and raises many questions.

Thankfully, the population in this area is increasing massively. I became a Member of the Oireachtas in 1982 at which time there was widespread unemployment, emigration and despair. There is now practically full employment and no forced emigration, and young people can get married and rear their own families in the area in which they grew up. It is heartening to hear that the work at the hospital in Mullingar will be completed in the space of eight to ten months. I acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the design team, architects and former members of the former Midland Health Board, of which I was a member for 18 years.

The services and facilities at Mullingar Hospital are second to none. The staff, including consultants, nursing staff and personal assistants, is excellent. Anybody who has been a patient there or has had a family member there will be only too well aware of the great facilities. I particularly welcome the establishment of the new baby care unit in recent months. I also welcome the new dermatology service to be provided. Approval has been received to fill the consultant dermatologist post and it will be advertised in coming weeks. This will be important for the people of the area as I understand 450 patients are on a waiting list for this service. I thank all concerned in progressing these developments.

I look forward to the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, informing the House as to when phase 2B will go to tender. Will he give an assurance whether the contract will be for eight or ten months? Will penalty clauses be inserted to ensure the work is completed in that timeframe?

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I thank Deputy Cassidy for raising this matter. I will deal with the Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

The original general hospital in Mullingar was built during the 1930s and subsequently extended through a phase one development which was officially opened in 1990. Planning then commenced on the second phase of the development of the hospital, which was subsequently divided into two phases, 2A and 2B. Phase 2A opened in 1997-98 and included a radiology department, an outpatients department, an accident and emergency department, and a main concourse and reception area.

It was agreed at the time that part of the construction contract for phase 2A would include the shelling out of four floors designed to house ward accommodation scheduled for provision as part of phase 2B. This was considered prudent both from a long-term value for money perspective and to minimise disruption to existing functioning accommodation during phase 2B construction. Capital funds to progress phase 2B are provided for by the Health Service Executive in its health capital investment framework 2005-09. The full project has been sanctioned up to detailed design and tender stage.

It was decided to fast-track the first phase of the development, which comprises the completion of the fit-out of the ward accommodation in the shelled out area. The detailed design and preparation of tender documentation for this work is at an advanced stage and the HSE midland region has lodged a prior indicative notice in the EU Journal for the first stage with the intention of going to tender shortly. The target completion date for the first stage, that is, the fit-out of the shelled area, is early 2007. On completion, the fit-out of the shelled accommodation will provide an additional 45 beds, mainly medical and surgical beds.

The design work on the second stage of the project is to continue in parallel with the fit out and equipping of the shelled accommodation project. The second stage will include the provision of the following new facilities: a pathology department, operating department, medicine for the elderly-rehabilitation unit, acute psychiatric unit, child and adolescent psychiatric unit, occupational therapy department, administrative accommodation, staff accommodation, education facilities, catering facilities and a new entrance concourse. The second stage of the project, as planned to date, provides for a further 16 additional beds, mainly for day cases, as well as accommodating the transfer of 50 rehabilitation and acute psychiatric beds from facilities currently located outside the hospital.

The additional revenue cost of commissioning the first stage of the development was estimated by the HSE midland area some time ago at more than €10 million. Given the significant level of expenditure involved, it was decided to review this estimate in advance of the project proceeding to tender. This review has taken place.

The executive has had to review the design of the project to take account of the recently completed SARI, strategy for the control of antimicrobial resistance in Ireland, guidelines relating to infection control. These guidelines have implications for the design of ward accommodation in the case of capital developments. As a consequence, it has been necessary for the HSE to redesign some elements of the Mullingar project. It is expected that the project will go to tender in the near future upon approval of the capital plan.