Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 302: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when it is intended to publish the capital funding programme for hospitals for 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10938/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, established on 1 January 2005, to manage and deliver or arrange to be delivered on its behalf health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for progressing the health capital programme for hospitals.

The HSE service plan for 2005 was recently approved by me and as required by relevant legislation laid before the House. The detailed capital funding programme for hospitals for 2005 is currently being finalised in the context of the capital investment framework for 2005 to 2009. This process will be concluded in the near future and the HSE will then be in a position to progress its capital programme in line with overall funding resources available for 2005 or beyond. While elements of the capital programme will of course be commercially sensitive, the question of publishing the details sought by the Deputy will be a matter for the HSE.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a new hospital for Dingle, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10939/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act the executive is required to manage and deliver or arrange to be delivered on its behalf health and personal social services. As part of the executive's responsibility to prepare and submit an annual service plan for my approval, it is obliged under section 31 of the Act to indicate any capital plans proposed by the executive. In this process the executive can be expected to have regard to the full range of potential capital developments, its own criteria in determining priorities, available resources and any other relevant factors. The Health Service Executive's national capital plan is currently being examined by my Department.