John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the construction of the acute North Eastern Regional Hospital, County Meath; the funding available and planning requirements; if he is proposing a public private partnership arrangement to fund the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24272/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Following the completion of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in 2011, I announced that funding would support the delivery of the new Children's Hospital and the associated Paediatric Ambulatory & Urgent Care Centre in AMiNCH Tallaght; the replacement of the Central Mental Hospital and its associated facilities; and the National Project for Radiation Oncology. All care programmes would be supported in accordance with the commitments in the Programme for Government with particular attention on primary care.

Any capital development must be considered in the context of the overall HSE capital programme. This multi-annual programme is developed over a rolling five year period. The Executive is required to prioritise the capital infrastructure projects within its overall capital funding allocation taking into account the existing capital commitments and costs to completion over the period. It is essential to assess all projects, other than those where existing contractual commitments are in place, on their merits, to ensure that the limited capital funding available goes to those developments which are of highest national importance.

A draft capital plan for the period 2012-2016 has been submitted to my Department. My Department is reviewing the proposals and following up with the HSE where further details may be required. The proposed plan requires my approval with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Details of the plan will be published by the Executive following its approval.

Question No. 30 answered with Question No. 22.