Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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8. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the progression of plans for new endoscopy and mental health units at Naas General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20880/19]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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215. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects the outstanding phases of the Naas General Hospital development plan to be implemented in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21155/19]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I am raising this question on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Martin Heydon. He seeks to ascertain the progress, ongoing or otherwise, of the development programme at Naas General Hospital which covers mental health units, endoscopy and oncology. I ask the Minister when we are likely to see the serious progress we are awaiting.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 215 together.

I thank Deputies Durkan and Heydon for asking these important questions about Naas General Hospital. I was delighted to visit the hospital on a number of occasions with Deputies Durkan and Heydon.

There are, as the Deputy said, two distinct capital development proposals for Naas General Hospital at present. The first development consists of accommodation and ancillary services to support the new endoscopy unit, physical medicine unit, physical therapy unit, oncology unit and day procedure department. Planning permission has been received and I understand the project is currently at tender stage. I say clearly that I want this project to progress. We are finalising our capital plan in our discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform but this is an absolute priority, not only for the people of Naas but for the people of Kildare and elsewhere. It has the ability to transform our endoscopy services for the people in that region.

In addition, as the Deputy rightly said, there is the development of a new mental health unit at the hospital. The original development proposal comprised the provision of an eight-bed intensive care unit at the existing 30-bed Lakeview mental health unit on the grounds of Naas General Hospital. Following a review of the proposal, I am pleased to say that a significant expansion of the project scope is now proposed, with an associated and significant increase in project value. This has meant the original design team’s engagement had to be terminated and a new procurement process undertaken. I understand that the HSE has now appointed a new design team for this much expanded project. This is an exciting project for our mental health services in Kildare because the revised proposal is expected to deliver 50 bed spaces, including a nine-bed intensive care area, and significantly upgraded infrastructure. The timeframe for the completion of the new acute mental health unit project will be informed by the work of the new design team and this work will be undertaken in conjunction with Naas General Hospital and the HSE.

My Department is continuing to invest significantly in this important hospital for the people of Kildare and, as the Deputy is aware, under the winter initiative we provided an additional 11 beds in Naas General Hospital which came on-stream in the last quarter of 2017. All this means more beds and more capital investment for Naas General Hospital.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. To what extent can the Department remain in contact with the authorities at Naas hospital to ensure continuity of dialogue to identify issues before they become emergencies, with a view to putting in place the necessary measures to ensure adequate provision is made for the hospital to meet the challenges posed by the rapidly expanding population in the area?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is entirely correct and I assure him that not only will the Department take an interest in this but I will take a personal interest in it. I know that Deputies Durkan and Heydon will continue to monitor this issue in the House.

It is important for people to know exactly what the mental health unit will involve. The Kildare and west Wicklow mental health service proposes building a new three-storey, 50-bed acute mental health unit in the car park of Naas General Hospital with four units between the first and second floors. The facility will have state-of-the art observation areas, en suite facilities for each bedroom, which is very important, Health and Safety Authority, HSA, approved interview rooms, improved recreational and therapeutic facilities, a Mental Health Commission tribunal room and a legal representative interview area. The expectation is that the overall environment will be much more conducive to the service users' recovery as stepped levels of care will be provided in four ward areas, tailored to specific levels of acuteness.

This is a much bigger project that we are now planning in the mental health services. I am particularly pleased today to tell Deputy Durkan that the mental health directorate has advised his community health organisation that it will now provide additional funding of €300,000 towards the cost of preparing for planning and design this year.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the mental health investment in the area. The crunch question, however, is whether there is a timetable for the delivery of the services as envisaged in the development programme. At what stage can we expect all the phases to be completed?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Development phase three, which is the exciting new development for Naas hospital, including the endoscopy unit but much more than that, is, I understand, at tender stage. This consists of accommodation, ancillary services to support the endoscopy unit, a physical medicine unit, a physical therapy unit, an oncology unit and a day procedure department. It will also include a duplex reverse water filtration system and two lifts. Planning permission is in place. In the next few weeks, I will finalise the HSE’s capital plan which will provide certainty of funding for many capital projects. It is an absolute priority to try to green-light the project within that timeframe.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister.