Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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142. To ask the Minister for Health the additional support that will be provided to the three existing children’s hospitals pending the completion of the new hospital at the St. James’s site, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30395/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The three existing paediatric hospitals in Dublin - Children's University Hospital Temple Street, Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin and the paediatric service at Tallaght - will come together in the new children's hospital when built. The HSE National Service Plan 2013 sets out the quantum and type of health services to be provided in 2013 to the three hospitals, within the overall level of funding provided.

The three hospitals have stated their commitment to becoming a single service across three sites and are working closely together, with a single Clinical Director across the three sites, to ensure optimisation of resources and facilities.

On 6 November last, I announced that it was my intention to establish a Children's Hospital Group Board and in April I appointed Dr Jim Browne to chair that non-statutory Board. This is an important step in moving towards a single entity and in supporting the operational integration of the three existing hospitals in advance of the new hospital being completed.