Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I know this is a matter Senator Glynn has taken a keen interest in and been supportive of over many years.

The original general hospital in Mullingar was built in the 1930s and subsequently extended through a phase 1 development which was officially opened in 1990. Planning then commenced on phase 2 of the development of the hospital, which was subsequently divided into two phases, phase 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 to 2009. The full project has been sanctioned up to detailed design and tender stage. It was recently decided to fast-track the completion of the fit-out of the ward accommodation in the shelled-out area. This decision was taken to provide additional capacity more quickly than if the full project proceeded as a single construction contract. The design team is preparing detailed drawings with the intention of going to tender in March 2006. With this in mind, a prior indicative notice is to be lodged in the Official Journal of the European Union by mid-October. Staff on site are to be fully consulted as part of the detailed design process. Planning permission is to be sought.by the beginning of November and the target completion date for the fit-out of the shelled area is early 2007.

On completion, the fit-out of the shelled accommodation will provide an additional 43 beds, mainly medical and surgical beds. The design work on the second stage of the project will continue in parallel with the fit-out and equipping of the shelled accommodation project. The second stage will include the provision of a pathology department, an operating department, medicine for the elderly-rehabilitation unit, acute psychiatric unit, child and adolescent psychiatric unit, occupational therapy department, administrative accommodation, staff accommodation, duration facilities, catering facilities and a new entrance concourse. The completion of the second stage of the project will provide a further 16 additional beds, mainly for day cases, as well as accommodating the transfer of 50 rehabilitation and acute psychiatric beds from facilities located outside the hospital. In all, there will be 109 additional beds on the hospital campus following the completion of the overall development.

The Health Service Executive has estimated additional revenue funding of €10 million, excluding inflation, will be required on an annual basis to run the shelled-out area when it is fully fitted-out. This estimate reflects a combination of the additional pay and non-pay costs required. Given the significant level of additional annual revenue costs associated with the project, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, has decided that an independent review of the estimate is necessary, to ensure that the estimate and staff profile represent best value for money. This review is due to be completed prior to the finalisation of the tender documentation. It is not anticipated that it will delay the project.