Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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596. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the proposed move of the Rotunda Hospital to a site at Connolly Hospital, Dublin 15; the amount this will cost; if there is a timeline for the potential move in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11782/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The model of stand-alone maternity hospitals is not the norm internationally. Government policy is therefore to co-locate all remaining maternity hospitals with adult acute services in order to provide optimal clinical outcomes. Co-location of maternity services with adult services provides mothers with access to a full range of medical and support services should the need arise. The availability of these services helps ensure the delivery of an optimum, safe service, particularly for high risk mothers and babies.

With regard to the redevelopment of the Rotunda Hospital on the Connolly Hospital campus, I understand that the Rotunda has engaged consultants to work on a preliminary design brief. I am also aware that a Masterplan is currently being developed for the Connolly campus and this will take account of, and support, the colocation of the Rotunda and Connolly hospitals.

As the Rotunda redevelopment project is at a very early development stage, it would be premature to provide any indicative timeframes for completion, or cost estimates, at this point.