Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health when the new members for the National Children's Hospital Development Board will be appointed. [3841/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The decision to locate the new children's hospital on the St James's campus was announced on 6 November last. In identifying the new site, the Government 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. The decision on location was 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.

Following the announcement of the Government's decision, detailed consideration has been given to the project management structures and governance arrangements required to enable delivery of the project as quickly as possible and to the highest quality and I intend to bring proposals to Government very shortly on this issue. The terms of office of the majority of Board members having expired on 5 December, I have appointed senior representatives from my Department and the HSE as an interim measure aimed at ensuring effective governance and decision-making for the project at this important initial stage to ensure the project continues without delay during this transitional phase.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health the progress made in relation to the National Paediatric Hospital being located at St James's Hospital, Dublin; when a planning application will be lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3842/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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On 6 November last, the Government decided that the new children’s hospital would be co-located with St James’s Hospital on its campus. This followed the refusal of planning permission in February 2012 for the hospital on the Mater campus, and subsequently the establishment of an independent Review Group to consider next steps (the “Dolphin Group”). Following the Government decision on the location, the first priority has been to consider governance issues for this complex and hugely important project, given the need to ensure that this project proceeds securely to completion. I intend to bring a Memorandum to Government on these issues shortly. Pending this, preliminary work is underway in relation to the project in its new location, 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. While a significant proportion of the work that was done for the project on the Mater site, including the internal configuration and adjacencies, will be transferable, a new design for the new site will be required before a planning application can be made.