Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had with the Health Service Executive regarding the future of Tallaght Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29464/06]

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 790: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a further report on the meeting held with the Taoiseach and church leaders at Government Buildings to discuss the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght; the actions proposed regarding the submission made by the delegation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29941/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 790 together.

The Taoiseach, Professor Brendan Drumm and I met with representatives of the Adelaide Hospital Society on 28 June 2006 to discuss a number of issues relating to the Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght. The delegation included the Most Rev R.H.A. Eames, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Very Rev Dr David Clarke, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Rev Desmond Bain, former President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, together with the Archbishop of Dublin, The Most Rev Dr John W Neill, President of the Hospital. They expressed concern at the implications for the National Children's Hospital of the recent Government decision to endorse the development of a single national tertiary paediatric hospital on a site to be made available at the Mater Hospital.

A number of other matters relating to the provision of hospital services at Tallaght were also discussed. In this context the delegation submitted a document proposing a wide range of service developments at the hospital over the next 10 years. The proposals, which have significant resource implications, have been forwarded to the Health Service Executive for consideration.

In a letter to Archbishop Eames following the meeting, the Taoiseach gave an assurance that the Government wishes the hospital to thrive on a sustainable basis as a particular focal point for the involvement of the minority tradition in the healthcare system and as a key health provider to an expanding local population. These objectives will be pursued in tandem with other compelling objectives, including the achievement of an effective and efficient hospital care system, which will deliver the highest possible standards of care within a framework designed to respond to the needs of patients at national, regional and local level.

Arising from the meeting, it has also been decided that a review will be conducted of decisions taken with regard to the funding and development of the hospital. The arrangements for the review are being finalised.