Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 485: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the staff audit, which she announced in September 2005, for the phase 2B project at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, has taken place; if so, the results of the said audit; if not, the reason an announcement was made at the time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2477/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The health capital investment framework for 2005-09 includes provision for the phase 2B development at Mullingar. The project, as currently planned and designed, is to be delivered in two stages with a net increase in capacity of 61 beds.

It was decided to fast-track the completion of the first stage of the project, to provide for 45 additional beds. The detailed design and preparation of tender documentation for this work is at an advanced stage and the HSE midland region has lodged a prior indicative notice in the European journal for the first stage, with the intention of going to tender shortly. The target completion date for the first stage is early 2007. The second stage is scheduled to be completed in 2011.

The additional revenue cost of commissioning the first stage of the phase 2B development was estimated by the HSE midland area some time ago at over €10 million. Given the significant level of expenditure involved it was decided to commission a review of this estimate in advance of the project proceeding to tender. However, a number of issues of significance have arisen recently which have a bearing on both the scope and cost of the project, and which need to be clarified before the review can be undertaken.

First, the executive has had to review the design of the project to take account of the recently completed SARI, strategy for the control of antimicrobial resistance in Ireland, guidelines relating to infection control. These have implications for the design of ward accommodation in the case of capital developments. As a consequence, it has been necessary for the HSE to redesign some elements of the Mullingar project. In addition, the national hospitals office, NHO, within the executive was asked by my Department to indicate whether the revenue cost estimate, prepared by the HSE midland area, has been endorsed by the NHO, taking account of the matters described above. The need for further review of the revenue cost for this project will be considered on foot of a response which is awaited from the NHO to these issues.