Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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193. To ask the Minister for Health the considerations which have been given to the adequacy of parking spaces at the St James’s Hospital site; the company or organisation which will manage car parking services following construction of the new national children’s hospital and relocation of the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital; if his attention has been drawn to existing parking issues at the site; the measures which will be implemented to resolve these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3248/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The issue of access to the children’s hospital is of great importance to everyone associated with this project. The design of the hospital has recognised the need of most parents to access the hospital by car, and ample parking has been provided for families based on current and projected future demand. The parking system will also allow families to reserve spaces ahead of arriving to the hospital, and emergency drop-off spaces are also being provided. St. James’s Hospital campus is also better served by public transport than any other hospital in the country. An Bord Pleanála was satisfied with the measures proposed to mitigate traffic issues around the campus, and provide for parking (675 for families, 325 for staff), while also noting that no other site enjoys such connectivity with public transport.

In relation to the specific query raised on managing car parking services following construction of the new children's hospital and existing car parking issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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194. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which ambulance access will be prioritised at the new national children’s hospital in view of existing congestion issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3249/17]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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195. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether access to the new national children’s hospital through a single entrance at each end of the campus is sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3250/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.

The issue of access to the children’s hospital is of great importance to everyone associated with this project. The planning application submitted to An Bord Pleanála by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, the statutory body responsible for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children’s hospitals, to build the hospital on the St James’s campus included an Environmental Impact Statement detailed “traffic and parking” which included a traffic management and traffic mobility plan, endorsed by the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council, for the construction and operational phases of the hospital. A ten-day oral hearing took place in December 2015 in which traffic evidence was presented in detail and allowed for cross-questioning by those who had concerns. An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission without change to the proposed traffic and mobility plan.

In relation to ambulance access for the new children's hospital, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.