Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason her Department has not yet sanctioned the funding for 19 additional beds in Wexford General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11292/05]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department will consider utilising the facilities under proper medical supervision at Ely Hospital, Wexford town to address the chronic overcrowding at Wexford General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11293/05]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department has sanctioned the funding for 19 additional beds in Wexford General Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11294/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 to 161, inclusive, together.

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility 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 detailed capital funding programme for hospitals for 2005 is currently being finalised in the context of the Capital Investment Framework 2005-09. This process is expected to 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 in 2005 and beyond. In relation to utilising facilities in Ely Hospital my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's south eastern area to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.