Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she and the Department of Finance have approved the Health Service Executive capital programme for 2008; and the details of same. [12647/08]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the changes she has made in relation to the draft Health Service Executive capital plan for 2008. [12648/08]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that phase 3C of Naas General Hospital is included as a project in the Health Service Executive's capital plan for 2008. [12649/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 to 75, inclusive, together.

The Government's sustained high level of investment in health care has enabled the completion and commissioning of numerous new facilities in both the acute and the non-acute sectors. This year, overall capital funding of approximately €594m has been provided to the Health Service Executive.

In drawing up its Capital Plan the Health Service Executive is required to prioritise the capital infrastructure projects to be progressed within its overall capital funding allocation under the National Development Plan 2007-2013, taking account of the NDP targets for division of capital investment between the Acute and Primary, Community & Continuing Care pillars. The HSE has submitted a draft Capital Plan to my Department for consideration and approval in the normal way which sets out the HSE's proposed short and longer term priorities and commitments. Consultation on this draft Capital Plan is ongoing between the HSE, the Department of Finance and my Department. The HSE has undertaken to provide additional clarification on its proposed capital developments and is currently engaged in this process. Details on individual projects will not be known until such time as the capital plan for 2008 is approved.