Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 212: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the discussions, advice or information she has had in relation to the establishment of a private hospital in the grounds of the Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15; the personwith whom she has had these discussions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28416/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Over the last year, I have had discussions with numerous people on a great variety of different proposals to develop private hospitals on public hospital grounds throughout the country. In relation to Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, I have accepted invitations to attend two meetings hosted by Dr. Conor Burke, consultant respiratory physician at Connolly Memorial Hospital. One was attended by many of the consultants at the hospital, a representative of the hospital's management and its director of nursing, the Secretary General of my Department, an official from the Department of Finance and my special adviser. Among the many topics discussed were the potential for the development of step down beds and a private hospital.

The other was attended by Mr. Bernard MacNamara, Mr. Noel Corcoran and my special adviser, Mr. Oliver O'Connor. I listened to a presentation of ideas about step down facilities and a private hospital. I recently made a policy direction to the board of the Health Service Executive in relation to private hospital developments that would free up new public beds. It is for the HSE to implement this policy.