Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for being so flexible in the taking of this topic. It is third time lucky because I have sought to raise this matter for the past two weeks but it was not taken because no Minister from the Department of Health was available to reply.

I take the opportunity to congratulate the community in Longford-Westmeath and the wider area on the fantastic community spirit shown in their efforts to get an MRI scanner for the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar. Over the past two years approximately €950,000 has been raised to secure the purchase of this scanner and I acknowledge the work of John McGrath, Deirdre Murphy, Mandy Reilly and other committee members. Schools held pyjama days. There were large balls and tractor runs. Myriad activities took place to generate these funds. It demonstrates what is good about community spirit in Ireland.

On the day of the publication of the HSE service plan, it is positive that the HSE has honoured its side of the commitment, which was that if the local community fundraised to provide for the scanner, the HSE would provide the accommodation to house this much-needed equipment. This equipment is so necessary because patients attending Mullingar hospital often had to wait days or weeks to get an MRI scan in another facility. It was blocking up beds and people were left waiting unnecessarily in the hospital. As it is also a maternity hospital and a children's hospital, it is important that it has a specialised MRI scanner that will be able to deal with paediatrics and maternity care.

I acknowledge that it is in today's HSE service plan. Given that it is in the plan, I hope there will be no delay in providing this extension. Planning permission has been granted and it now needs to go out to tender. Once the tender is awarded, construction should commence without delay. I note that today's HSE plan indicates that it will be in operation in quarter 1 of 2021. I see no reason that cannot be accelerated. It is needed now, and the sooner it can be delivered, the better. I look forward to the Minister of State giving a clear timeframe for the project to move through the various stages at an accelerated pace.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the opportunity to update the House on this capital development project at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar.

The Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar is a model 3 hospital delivering a 24-7 emergency department, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, special care baby unit, critical care and general medicine, including regional stroke thrombolysis, alongside a range of local and regional services, on an inpatient, day case and outpatient basis. The catchment area for the hospital includes patients residing in Westmeath, Longford and the greater midlands area. The significant population increase in the midlands, coupled with other factors such as ageing demographic pressures, has placed significant additional demands on the hospital.

The provision of a new MRI scanner is included in the proposed new extension of the existing radiology department there. A design team has been engaged and planning permission has been granted for the proposed extension to the radiology department. The development requires the demolition of an existing building on the site. This building accommodates ambulance staff, and options to accommodate the ambulance staff elsewhere temporarily to enable the MRI project to progress are being explored.

I understand that the Friends of Mullingar Hospital have completed substantial fundraising in support of the MRI scanner and I acknowledge their significant contribution. The Deputy illustrated that very clearly in his contribution.

The provision of a new MRI scanner at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar was included in the national development plan, NDP, announced last year as part of the Project Ireland 2040 policy initiative. The NDP provides €10.9 billion for health capital developments across the country, including both national programmes and individual projects, across acute, primary and social care. The delivery of NDP projects and programmes, including developments in Mullingar, will result in healthcare facilities that allow for implementation of new models of care and for delivery of services in high-quality modern facilities.

My Department and the HSE are currently engaged in a process to finalise the HSE capital plan for 2020. Funding for the proposed extension to the radiology department at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, including accommodation for the second MRI scanner, has been included in the draft plan. The capital plan will determine which projects can progress in 2020 and beyond, having regard to the total available capital funding and the relevant priority of each project. Once the HSE has finalised its capital plan for 2020, it will then be submitted to the Minister for consideration.

The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, which can impact on the timeline for delivery. All health capital projects currently at various stages of development, such as projects at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, are included as part of this process.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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The publication of the HSE plan today superseded much of this debate. Nonetheless, as the Minister of State has said, to facilitate the new building, the current ambulance service needs to be relocated. It is important to identify a temporary site that is fit for purpose. When it goes back to the permanent structure, that again must be fit for purpose.

When will the HSE draft plan be adopted as the final plan for 2020? While I appreciate the Minister of State will not have the facts and figures to hand, I ask him to revert to me or have the relevant departmental officials revert to me with the specific timeframe. If any lessons are to be learned from other State contracts, it is the need to put specific timeframes on contracts so that they will come in on time and within budget. While we need to ensure we have the services servicing our constituents, we also need to ensure we get value for money. I ask for officials to come back to me with a detailed reply with the specifics on costings and timeframes.

We have been waiting for a long time. The community did invaluable work in fundraising the €950,000. Our side of the bargain has been met. We want to ensure that there is no time delay and that the final phases are accelerated so that patients can be treated before the end of 2020.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I reiterate my appreciation and that of the Minister and the Department of Health of the local community's commitment to this project. Fundraising that amount is a very significant achievement. Many of us have been involved in fundraising projects and know how difficult and challenging they can be. I assure the Deputy from this side of the House that that community commitment will be recognised and rewarded with a timely delivery.

I will need to come back to the Deputy with the timelines as I do not have them to hand. I will ask the relevant official to provide them to him. I assure the Deputy that there will be very strong support from me and the Minister, Deputy Harris, when that draft plan becomes a final plan, which I hope will happen as a priority early in 2020. This project should proceed on that basis. I will come back to the Deputy with a timeline to follow that.