Jackie Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 178: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the long-awaited new hospital for Dingle, County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29792/04]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of health services in the Kerry area is a matter for the Southern Health Board, in the first instance. The board in consultation with my Department decided to build a new 72 bed community hospital in Dingle, County Kerry to replace the existing hospital. This new hospital will comprise a mix of beds for continuing care, rehabilitation-convalescent, respite, palliative care beds and beds which will be used for direct admissions by the local GP-primary care team. In addition, there will be a central module, a day care unit, a mental health day care unit and an ambulance base.

The next step in the progressing of the Dingle project to construction is to invite tenders for the construction of the project. Any decision in relation to progressing this project will be considered by my Department in the context of the significant additional revenue funding and staff which will be required by the board to operate the new hospital and having regard to the board's employment ceiling and funding available to my Department.