Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 182: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the work which has been carried out to date by the project team appointed to undertake an option appraisal for a health infrastructure in Athlone, County Westmeath; the action being taken by his Department to pursue the options in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11472/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The position on the proposed health infrastructure development in Athlone is that an option appraisal has been completed. My Department subsequently conveyed approval last September to the Midland Health Board to undertake a development control plan, DCP, for one of the sites in question at Clonbrusk. The process for the appointment of a design team for the DCP has commenced.

As the Deputy will be aware, 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 proposed capital development at Athlone. In the circumstances my Department has asked the chief executive of the Health Service Executive's midland area to investigate the matter raised and reply direct to the Deputy.