Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 243: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had concerning the future of Crumlin children's hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2991/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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It has been accepted that the current infrastructure at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children does not generally meet the standards required for a modern paediatric hospital. The available facilities do not satisfactorily accommodate the range and extent of current clinical and associated activity. In recognition of this, a project team was established to plan for the overall future development of Our Lady's Hospital, either on the existing hospital site or at an alternative green field location.

The project team has undertaken a detailed examination of the potential to redevelop the hospital on its present site. The project team concluded that the existing clinical services could be retained and developed on the present site but also set out the implications of such an approach in terms of time, cost and disruption to services. As a consequence it is likely that the new hospital will be located at an alternative site.

In the context of the decision to be taken on the possible relocation of the facilities at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, I asked the Health Service Executive to undertake a review of tertiary highly specialised paediatric services to ensure that they are planned and provided in the most efficient and effective manner. The HSE engaged a team of management consultants to provide a report on the strategic organisation of tertiary paediatric services in Ireland. Their report is expected to be furnished to the HSE tomorrow evening for consideration at the scheduled HSE board meeting on Thursday.

The outcome of the review will help to inform decisions to be taken on the future location and the range of services to be provided at the new hospital. I am aware that there is significant private sector interest in the redevelopment of the hospital, and I have met with a number of the interested parties.