Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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564. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a building project (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30153/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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There will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer. As with all capital projects, the further development of the national CNU programme which includes St Vincent's Hospital Athy, must be considered within the context of the overall capital envelope available to the health service. There is limited funding available for new projects over the next multi-annual period 2015-2019 given the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place. In addition, the HSE cannot exceed or plan to exceed its approved commitment thresholds. The HSE is concentrating on applying the limited funding available for capital works in the most effective way possible to meet residential need now and in the future.  Therefore in this regard St Vincent's is being progressed to planning stage only. At this very early stage in the process and in advance of the award of planning it would be premature to make provisions relating to the operation of the facility during construction other than to say the HSE would take appropriate measures to minimise the impact of construction on the existing service.