Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the development of the National Children’s Hospital and on the enhanced support, if any, he will provide to the existing children’s hospitals pending the completion of the new hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57012/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Following the refusal by An Bord Pleanála of planning permission for the new children's hospital on the Mater site, I established a Review Group chaired by Dr Frank Dolphin (the Dolphin Group) to advise on next steps. Their report was presented to me on 8 June this year. On Tuesday 6 November, I announced the Government’s decision to develop the new children’s hospital at the campus of St James’s Hospital in Dublin. In identifying the new site, the Government has carefully considered the report of the Dolphin Group along with detailed supplementary information on cost, time and planning which was subsequently sought from those members of the Group with the relevant technical expertise.

This decision has been made in the best interests of children, with clinical considerations being of paramount importance. Co-location, and ultimately tri-location with a maternity hospital, on the St James's campus will support the provision of excellence in clinical care that our children deserve.

The new children’s hospital is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and the largest project within the current Capital Plan. This Government regards the building of the hospital as a priority and no effort will be spared in expediting its completion. Until then, the HSE will continue to support the existing children's hospital who will continue to operate and provide services to patients within the current agreed Service Plans. I have already signalled that the three hospitals will become a single Hospital Group in the near future, and my Department is examining the necessary arrangements to support this.

In parallel, I am moving to put in place the necessary structures and governance arrangements to enable the delivery of the capital project as quickly as possible and to the highest quality. I will bring a Memorandum for Government on these issues to Cabinet shortly. Pending this, work is progressing in relation to the site and site preparation, while a review of urgent care centre(s) configuration is underway and a time-limited review of Dublin maternity services configuration is to commence as soon as possible.