Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

By their nature, capital projects of the scale and ambition of projects discussed here today take time to come into fruition and must adhere to the public spending code and certainly not delay part of it. However, it is important they adhere to the code. The strategic assessment report for the proposed new emergency department at Galway University Hospital is currently under review by the Department of Health and when completed will be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for review. With regard to the Galway cancer care centre, a capital submission has been made to the HSE but has not yet been approved. With regard to elective facilities, a preliminary business case has been developed for the new elective hospital in Galway and it is expected that the memorandum for Government to seek approval in principle of the business case will be submitted shortly for consideration.

Galway University Hospital and Merlin Park hospital have a reputation for delivery of high quality, innovative and safe care to patients. This Government seeks to support the staff and patients in the healthcare journey of these facilities by continued strategic investment in services not only to the major projects the Senator included in the question but also through other projects currently under development and already mentioned here today, including the new radiation oncology unit which will cost €56 million and the development of a temporary but substantial emergency department building. I thank the Senator for raising the question this morning. It is important as the population continues to grow in the region that these services continue to be enhanced for the public.