Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if funding has now been committed to move the emergency department to the ground floor of the critical care unit being developed at the Mid-West Regional Hospital; when it is expected to commence developing the unit and when same will be completed; if plans are being drawn up for the staffing of the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1553/11]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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A number of priority developments are complete - the Limerick trauma theatre and Nenagh endoscopy suite, or underway in the Mid West region to support the reconfiguration of hospital services. In particular the development of a new critical care block at a cost of €35m is a key component in the reconfiguration project. Construction of this facility is underway and is intended to be complete in 2012. Other priority projects include a dedicated trauma theatre in Limerick, a replacement ward at Ennis, a region wide PACS / radiology system and new endoscopy suites at Nenagh and Ennis. Prioritisation of these projects and the commitment of significant capital resources totalling €64m has been informed by local requirements and priorities.

The design of the critical care project in Limerick includes provision to facilitate expansion and/or relocation of other services at the hospital. In addition to the accommodation necessary for the critical care facility, accommodation on two further floors is also being provided. I want to progress the development of a new emergency department. This however is subject to agreement on staffing and revenue requirements. This is to ensure that it becomes operational as soon as possible after equipping and commissioning the facility.

I am satisfied that the priority needs of the region and the infrastructure requirements of the reconfiguration programme will continue to be given significant weight in the allocation of limited capital investment.