John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

74. To ask the Minister for Health the proposed use of the three top floors of the new regional specialist inpatient unit and day service in palliative medicine building on the grounds of University Hospital Waterford; if a designated private wing is being considered for these floors; when construction will commence on the building; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36368/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is intended that the top three floors will accommodate replacement medical in-patient beds and a surgical assessment unit. The ground and first floors will be allocated to palliative in-patient and palliative day-care.

There is no plan to use any of the floors in the new building as a designated private wing.

Planning permission for this replacement ward block including palliative care accommodation was granted in June 2015. Currently stage 2b & c detailed design is in progress. Following the announcement last month of the health capital envelope for the multi-annual period 2016-2021, the HSE has undertaken preliminary work on the Capital Plan. Once submitted this Plan requires my approval together with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Further details of the capital infrastructure projects will be available on the HSE's website when the Capital Plan 2016-2021 is approved.