Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the costs involved behind the project to build a new national paediatric hospital at the site of the Mater Hospital, Dublin; the sums of money spent by the development board which has been established; if some €28.75 million as a contract was awarded to a company in 2008; if she will set out what this money is being spent on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10949/09]

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there is a case for a review of the decision to locate the proposed new children's hospital at the Mater Hospital site, Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11045/09]

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding plans for the new children's hospital at the Mater Hospital site, Dublin; the moneys that have been spent on the project to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11047/09]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount of money that has been expended on the proposed reconfiguration of paediatric hospitals in the Dublin area; the amount that has been committed in relation to contracts agreed for this project; if the economic downturn is expected to cause delays in plans for this project; if so, if she would deem it prudent not to progress a detailed design brief until such time as the future of this project becomes clearer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11237/09]

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 475: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a comprehensive statement regarding her plans in respect of the proposed new major children's hospital on the site of the Mater Hospital, Dublin, particularly in view of the most recent announcement by the Health Service Executive in respect of the schedule being followed. [12064/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 237, 249, 251, 286 and 475 together.

There are no plans to review the decision regarding the location of the hospital. The decision was reached after an objective, transparent analysis, and the Government is committed to proceeding with the project as a priority.

The project 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. The new hospital will be based at the Mater Hospital and is scheduled for completion in 2014. It will include an associated Ambulatory and Urgent Care Centre at Tallaght which is to open in advance of the main hospital.

Following a public procurement tendering process, the Board appointed a Business Service Team in July 2008. The Board has also appointed a Chief Officer, a Medical Director and a Finance Officer. The Department is advised that €5.3m has been expended on the project to date in progressing the planning of the new hospital.

My Department has asked the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the HSE to respond to the Deputies directly on the additional issues raised.