Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 162: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of planned hospital developments that have been requested by her Department to be put on hold pending a completion by her Department of a value for money analysis; the process involved; if she will confirm if phase 2B of Longford Westmeath General Hospital, Mullingar is subject to this cost benefit evaluation; if same will delay its anticipated completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24862/06]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 250: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department has instructed that the planned second stage of phase 2B development at Longford-Westmeath Hospital, Mullingar, be put on hold, while same is subject to the Department of Finance's value for money assessment; if so, the reason such an important infrastructural development which has been planned for up to 20 years, should now be subject to a process where the result is self evident; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24871/06]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 251: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the impact plan that is being put in place by her Department for the completion of phase 2B of Longford-Westmeath Hospital at Mullingar; the estimated cost of same; the completion date for same; and if she will assure the people of Longford and Westmeath that the completion of this overdue health facility will no longer be subject to excuses or delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24872/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 162, 250 and 251 together.

In accordance with Department of Finance requirements, no capital project in the Health Sector costing more than €30 million can proceed without a detailed cost benefit analysis being completed. Capital projects at the following locations are affected by this requirement — Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital , Drogheda, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire and Phase 2B Stage 2 of the Longford/Westmeath Hospital at Mullingar.

In relation to Longford/Westmeath Hospital, it should be noted that the completion of Stage 1 of Phase 2B of the development is not affected. This involves the fitting out of ward accommodation in a shelled-out area that was constructed in the 1990s and will provide a net increase of 45 beds. This project went to tender on 23 June last and the target date for completion is mid-2007.

As regards the questions raised in relation to Stage 2 of Phase 2B, my Department is requesting the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 163: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in relation to a number of planned hospital developments, she will indicate that her Department's sanction for these capital projects is contingent upon revenue implications in respect thereof being met from the Health Service Executive's own resources; the way in which the HSE will identify such savings or reductions being made in respect of each individual project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24863/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. This includes responsibility for considering new capital proposals or progressing those in the health capital programme.

Accordingly, my Department is requesting the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.