Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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995. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 241 of 2 June 2016, if this report is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36071/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Partnership Government includes the following commitments in relation to the Beaumont capital projects:

- “We will commence the design of a new ED in Beaumont later this year with a view to funding for the construction being provided as part of the 2017 Capital Plan Review”.

- “The new Government will immediately proceed to the design and planning stage for a dedicated Cystic Fibrosis Unit at Beaumont Hospital Dublin for inclusion in the 2017 Capital Plan review. The HSE Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Programme will make further recommendations in the next few months, following a survey of centres and will complete a CF model of care policy”.

My Department is supportive of the new Emergency Department and Cystic Fibrosis Unit and has been engaging with HSE Estates and HSE Acute Hospitals Division (AHD) regarding these. There is a rigorous process for the development of healthcare projects governed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines, principally the Public Spending Code, and EU Directives. All proposed projects must be submitted to the HSE’s Capital and Property Steering Committee for approval and prioritisation prior to inclusion in its multi-annual Capital Plans.

I have been advised by the HSE that relevant submissions are being progressed for consideration by this Steering Committee, and that, after that stage, funding will be made available in the HSE Capital Plan 2017 for preliminary design works such as appraisal, project brief, design feasibility studies etc. and to progress the projects generally.

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, the outcome of which is expected in the context of Budget 2018. My Department is also conducting a Capacity Review which will assess projected health care needs over the next decade and the associated infrastructural requirements to meet these needs.