Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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155. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to grant funding to extend and refurbish a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48522/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Emergency Department in Cavan has been performing well this year. Performance information from the HSE show a 51% reduction in trolley numbers at the Hospital in comparison with the same period in 2016.

The RCSI Hospital Group has identified the need for development of the resuscitation area in Cavan Emergency Department. Future investment in Cavan General Hospital will be considered within the overall acute hospital infrastructure programme, the prioritised needs of the hospital groups and within the overall capital envelope available to the health service.

The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for hospital development in the most cost effective way possible to meet current and future needs of the health service.

The new Capital Envelope announced in October in the context of Budget 2018 will be used by the HSE to revise the Capital Plan for 2018 and will form the basis of the Department’s submission for the forthcoming 10 year National Investment Plan.

As part of Budget 2018 an additional €40 million was announced for 2017 to prepare for and manage the expected peak in demand for our health services over the upcoming winter period. A further €45 million has been allocated for measures to improve access to unscheduled care and other acute hospital priorities in 2018.

The Department of Health is also undertaking a Health Service Capacity review in line with the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment, the findings of which are due to be published before the end of the year, and which will provide an evidence base for future capacity decisions.

In addition I can confirm to the Deputy that all Hospital Groups and Community Health Organisations, including Cavan General Hospital, have developed and put in place integrated winter preparedness plans for their locality focussed on planning and escalation preparedness, maintaining patient flow processes and ensuring public health preparedness.