Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue. I accept his point regarding the physical condition of the accident and emergency department at Beaumont Hospital. It is important that I update the House on the provision of a new emergency department. As the Senator is aware, A Programme for a Partnership Government includes commitments to new capital developments at the hospital, namely, a new emergency department and a dedicated cystic fibrosis unit. The Department, the HSE, the RCSI hospital group and Beaumont Hospital are very supportive of these projects. It is recognised that the developments are needed to support the delivery of key services to patients served by Beaumont Hospital.Following on from the commitments in A Programme for A Partnership Government, significant appraisal and planning work has been carried out by Beaumont Hospital, the RCSI hospital group, the HSE acute hospitals and estates divisions, supported by the Department, to progress these capital

developments. In preparation of the capital plan for 2018 the HSE confirmed that funding of €100,000 would be made available in 2018 for the design phase of the new Beaumont Hospital emergency department project. The HSE gave written approval for the funding, which allowed Beaumont Hospital to go ahead with the EU procurement process for the selection and appointment of the design team for the project. The national development plan, announced earlier this year as part of the Project Ireland 2040 policy initiative, provides €10.9 billion for health capital developments across the State, including both national programmes and individual projects across acute, primary and social care. The money will come out of that budget. Health capital projects and programmes currently under way will continue. I am happy to confirm today that both the emergency department and the cystic fibrosis unit capital projects have been included in the national development plan and the timeframe for the completion of the emergency department project will be informed by the work of the project team. This work will be undertaken in conjunction with Beaumont Hospital and the HSE.

As the Senator is aware, the hospital site is quite restricted and much work has been carried out by Beaumont Hospital and the HSE around site selection. I understand that this selection report is due in the coming days. Furthermore, it is my clear understanding that the emergency department project will proceed to planning in early 2019. These are both positive developments as we all move forward.

The delivery of national development plan projects and programmes, including the projects at Beaumont Hospital, will result in healthcare facilities that allow for implementation of new models of care and for delivery of services in high-quality, modern facilities. The cystic fibrosis unit project will be underpinned by the model of care for people with cystic fibrosis in Ireland which has been developed by the national clinical programme for cystic fibrosis. I believe there is a meeting today on this issue in the audiovisual room in Leinster House. This will set out standards for the physical and human resources to be provided for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients from a national perspective. Investment in healthcare infrastructure, including these projects, must be considered within the overall capital envelope available to the health service.

The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs, having regard to the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place.