Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this issue and for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House the position regarding the Rotunda Hospital.

The National Development Plan 2021-2030, launched on 4 October 2021, provides a total five-year allocation, to 2025, of €5.657 billion to the Department of Health. This includes funding towards projects provided for in the capital plan, such as the critical care wing at the Rotunda Hospital.

It is acknowledged that there is a need to address the highest infrastructural risk and capacity issues at the existing hospital at Parnell Square on a prioritised basis. There has been engagement between the Department of Health, the HSE and the Rotunda to clarify the scope and extent of the development needed to resolve patient safety risks arising at the hospital from infrastructural issues. Capital funding has been provided to the hospital over recent years to help it to manage its estate, together with appropriate allocations for equipment replacement. Last year, funding was provided to assist with Covid-related emergency works. Some €5 million has been provided over 2020-21 for redevelopment works to sustain a modern foetal assessment unit and a neonatal intensive care unit, together with a new emergency theatre and delivery suite.

As required under the public spending code, the hospital has submitted a business case in support of a proposed critical care wing, which is under consideration by the HSE. It was agreed earlier this year in a meeting between the hospital, the HSE and the RCSI Hospitals Group, to initiate the process of design team recruitment to support these necessary interim works pending co-location to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. The evaluation of the recently received design team tender documentation with respect to the new critical care wing has been concluded. The successful and unsuccessful applicants have been identified and notified following a recent procurement process.

As the Senator knows, as is normal for a capital project of this scale, approval to formally appoint a design team will be subject to the normal health sector approvals processes in line with requirements under the public spending code. In the meantime, there continues to be ongoing and active engagement between the HSE and the Rotunda Hospital refining key aspects of the project.