Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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213. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made in securing funding and developing plans for a new maternity unit in Portlaoise hospital, County Laois. [8461/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Last year, provision was included in the Capital Plan 2013-2017 to appoint a design team to review the development control plan for Portlaoise Midland Regional Hospital and plan the next stage of development. The proposed project includes a medical assessment unit, theatre department, HSSD, refurbishment of vacated accommodation to expand day services, a main concourse and a replacement maternity unit.

As with all capital projects this project must be considered within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. There will always be more construction projects than can be funded by the Exchequer. The method and timescale for the delivery of health care infrastructure is a dynamic process which is constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances, including the feasibility of implementation. There is limited funding available for new projects over the period 2014-2018 given the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place.