Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the additional supports and resources he will put in place for Tallaght Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7551/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Tallaght Hospital is a key part of acute hospital services in the Dublin area. It has a budget of some €176.4m and 2,489 staff (whole time equivalents).

At present a phased capital equipment replacement programme is being put in place at the hospital.

The hospital is working with the Coombe Maternity Hospital on plans to relocate the Coombe Hospital in line with the recommendations of the KPMG Report on Maternity Services in Dublin.

A new Urgent and Ambulatory Care Centre is planned for Tallaght Hospital as part of the development of the new National Children's Hospital.

The hospital, in conjunction with the HSE, is exploring the possibility of developing a centre for integrated chronic disease management.

Other service developments currently being pursued at Tallaght Hospital include the opening of a new laboratory, at a cost of €2m, and participation in the roll-out of the HSE's Clinical Care Programmes including the Acute Medicime Programme. The new laboratory will allow the hospital to meet the relevant accreditation standards.

Following on from the recommendations of the Tallaght Hospital Review, the hospital has now received funding for radiology equipment and is in the process of procuring it.

Additional posts have been provided for the Emergency Department and to support the implementation of the Acute Medical Programme which will greatly improve the care of patients in the hospital.

The provision of additional dermatology, neurology and rheumatology posts are at the final approval stage with the HSE. The hospital is also awaiting approval from the HSE for 3 additional Radiologist posts which will significantly improve waiting times for patients. This was also recommended by the Tallaght Hospital Review