Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position with regard to the capital redevelopment work of Ennis General Hospital; when construction will commence; the length of time the construction phase will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20099/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Significant developments to enhance the services at Ennis General Hospital have taken place over the past few years. The €39m capital development project for Ennis was approved to stage 3 in 2006 and planning permission was granted in 2007. The HSE is undertaking a strategic review of acute hospital services in the Mid-West region. The review is focusing on identifying the best configuration of acute hospital services in the Mid-West including arrangements for A&E, critical care, acute medicine and surgery, together with diagnostic services so that the highest quality of care can be delivered to the population.

The HSE has advised my Department that the review is currently in the process of being finalised and that any implications for capital developments in the Mid-West, including those at Ennis will require to be taken into account. The HSE has also advised that the Ennis capital development project will have to be considered in the context of the Executive's draft Capital Plan, which sets out its proposed short and longer term infrastructural priorities and commitments. The HSE draft Capital Plan has been submitted to my Department for consideration and approval in the normal way. Consultation on the draft Capital Plan is ongoing between the HSE, the Department of Finance and my Department.