Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 86: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the capital projects in the health area for which funding has been provided and which are expected to commence in 2005; if any further such capital allocations will be made during 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20854/05]

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she will announce the allocation of capital funding in the health services for 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20903/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 105 together.

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 bulk of the health capital programme in 2005 and in future years. The total capital provision for the health service, as announced earlier this year as part of the overall public capital programme, is just over €584 million.

Capital funding for the health service is now largely provided through the Health Service Executive in line with the capital investment framework 2005-09. This amounts to €564 million in 2005. I am pleased to inform the House that I have this morning written to the HSE to convey my agreement to allow for the progression of its capital programme in 2005.

The capital provision for my Department in the current year amounts to €20 million. This relates to direct funding by my Department for a small number of agencies such as BreastCheck, the Health Research Board, HIQA and the Adoption Board.