Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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373. To ask the Minister for Health the capital plans and timeline for works at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5141/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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374. To ask the Minister for Health the capital plans and timeline for works at Roscommon County Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5142/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 374 together.

The construction of the endoscopy department at Roscommon County Hospital has been completed. It is expected to be operational in Q2 2016.

There will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer. As with all capital projects, the further development of the health care infrastructure, including Roscommon and Portiuncula Hospitals, must be considered within the context of the overall capital envelope available to the health service. Any future investment must also be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme and establishment of hospital groups. Each hospital group will be required to develop a strategic plan to describe how it will provide more efficient and effective patient services and reorganise its services to provide optimal care to the populations it serves. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs.