Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, taking into account that the new children's hospital is projected to cost approximately €1 billion, this project is being reviewed in view of the difficult financial state here; if she plans to review this project; if not, if she has the necessary funding committed to complete this project; the completion date for this project; the yearly funds necessary for the completion of this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6633/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Children's Health First Report commissioned by the Health Service Executive indicated that the population and projected demands in this country can support only one world class tertiary paediatric hospital which should be in Dublin, and should ideally be co-located with a leading adult academic hospital. Arising from this, the development of the new National Paediatric Hospital on the site of the Mater Hospital has been agreed as a high priority project for inclusion in the health capital programme.

The Health Service Executive is currently finalising its Capital Plan for the period 2009-2013 which is required to be submitted to me for my approval with the agreement of the Minister for Finance. I understand that, while a more accurate estimate of the cost of the new National Paediatric Hospital will not be available until the design brief is completed later this year, the costs are expected to be significantly less than €1 billion. It is expected that the bulk of the funding required for the development of the new hospital will be provided by the Exchequer through the National Development Plan. In addition, the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, which was established in 2007 and has responsibility for planning, designing, building, furnishing and equipping the hospital, is exploring additional funding options including philanthropy and proceeds from property sales.

Details on the project will be available when the capital plan is approved.