Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the measures she proposes to put in place to alleviate the overcrowding in accident and emergency wards in the Mater Hospital, Dublin; the short-term and medium-term proposals in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12226/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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 has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Services at the Mater Hospital are provided under an arrangement with the executive. My Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to examine the issues raised and to reply to the Deputy directly.

One of the issues being examined by the HSE is the possibility of making St. Bricin's Hospital available to ease the pressure on accident and emergency departments in Dublin. This possibility was examined a few years ago and the facility was found to be unsuitable. However, I asked that another review be carried out and staff from the executive's eastern regional area visited St Bricin's yesterday for this purpose. They will report to me on this matter.