Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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197. To ask the Minister for Health his assessment of the impact of the appointment of a liquidator at Mount Carmel Hospital, Dublin, on the public health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4583/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am, of course, very disappointed at the loss of jobs in Mount Carmel and recognise that it is a very difficult time for the staff. It is also an uncertain time for patients. I know that the HSE is working with the hospital to ensure that patients’ needs are met in the short term and they will also endeavour to support staff in their efforts to secure alternative employment.

In terms of the capacity of the HSE to deal with the additional service demands arising from the closure of the hospital, it is noted that birth rates have fallen significantly in recent years and the CSO projects that they will continue to fall at least until the early 2020s. Furthermore, following detailed consideration, the Department of Health and the HSE agreed that to buy the hospital as a going concern would unnecessarily expose the HSE and the State to very obvious and significant financial risks and would not be in line with current Government policy on maternity services.

During 2013, the HSE secured additional treatment capacity where necessary in both public and private hospitals, including Mount Carmel. It should be noted, however, that the projected number of treatments outsourced in all of these facilities represented less than 1% of the total number of annual scheduled out-patients appointments and 0.47% of the total number of inpatient and day-case appointments undertaken nationally.

Currently, arrangements are being made with alternative hospitals so as to ensure as seamless a transition as possible for patients in accordance with their choice.