Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will proceed with the centralisation of paediatric medicine in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9396/09]

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. It recommended that the hospital should be in Dublin and should, ideally, be co-located with a leading adult academic hospital. Following detailed consideration, it was decided that the most appropriate location for the new National Paediatric Hospital is at the Mater Hospital. The hospital will also include an associated Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght.

The development of the National Paediatric Hospital is a priority project for the Government. The project is proceeding as planned and is being overseen by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board which was established in May, 2007. The HSE is working closely with the Board in progressing the project.