Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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229. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the relocation of the Rotunda hospital to Connolly hospital. [27914/17]

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.

Following the Government's decision to locate the new children's hospital at the St James's Hospital campus, it was necessary to review the recommendations made in 2008 KPMG Report 'Independent Review of Maternity and Gynaecology Services in the Greater Dublin Area' in relation to the preferred sites for maternity hospitals in Dublin. As a result of that review it was decided that the Rotunda Hospital will be co-located with adult acute services at Connolly Hospital campus, Blanchardstown.

While the Rotunda redevelopment project is still at a very early stage of development, I am aware that the hospital has commissioned consultants to prepare a draft Design Brief. In addition, work is underway on a Development Control Plan for the Connolly campus which will inform the precise location of the new hospital on the campus.

During 2017 my Department is working with the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to conduct a mid-term review of the capital programme. Prioritisation of funding for the new Rotunda Hospital will be considered in the context of that review.