Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 207: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the additional accommodation which will be provided in view of the planned fit out of the ward accommodation in the shelled out area of phase 2b of Mullingar General Hospital; the nature of the additional beds; and the other facilities which will be provided in this fit out. [28376/05]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 208: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the facilities and Departments which are being left out of the first stage of development in view of the planned fit out of shelled out area of phase 2b of Mullingar General Hospital; the timescale for the completion of this design process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28377/05]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 209: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a review of the annual running costs of phase 2b of Mullingar General Hospital will be complete; the timeframe for the completion of this review; the benchmarking of other hospitals which will be taken on board in reviewing costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28378/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 to 209, inclusive, together.

The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, HSE, under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme. The HSE has made provision to progress the phase 2B development at Mullingar within the health capital investment framework 2005-2009.

It was recently decided to fast-track the first phase of the development, which involves the completion of the fit out of the ward accommodation in the shelled out area. The design team is currently preparing detailed drawings with the intention of going to tender in March 2006. With this in mind, a prior indicative notice, PIN, is to be lodged in the EU Journal shortly. Planning permission is also to be sought, and the target completion date for the fit out of the shelled area is early 2007.

The first stage of the project, as planned to date, includes the provision of an additional 43 beds, mainly medical and surgical. The design work on the second stage of the project is to continue in parallel with the fit out and equipping of the shelled accommodation project. The second stage will include the provision of the following new facilities: pathology department; operating department; medicine for the elderly — rehabilitation unit; acute psychiatric unit; child and adolescent psychiatric unit; occupational therapy department; administrative accommodation; staff accommodation; education facilities; catering facilities; and new entrance concourse.

The second stage of the project as planned to date provides for a further 16 additional beds, mainly for day cases, as well as accommodating the transfer of 50 rehabilitation and acute psychiatric beds from facilities currently located outside the hospital. It has been estimated by the Health Service Executive that additional revenue funding of the order of €10 million, excluding inflation, will be required on an annual basis to run the shelled out area when it is fully fitted out. This estimate reflects a combination of the additional pay and non-pay costs required. Given the significant level of additional annual revenue costs associated with the project, I have asked that an independent review of the estimate be conducted, to ensure that the estimate represents best value for money. The terms of reference for the review are currently being finalised. A steering group will oversee the review and will facilitate access to other health care facilities which the reviewer may consider it necessary to examine. It is intended that the review will be completed prior to the project going to tender as planned and therefore will not delay the project.