Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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344. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the relocation of the Rotunda Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital and University of Limerick Maternity Hospital. [53619/17]

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.

Following the grant of planning permission for the new National Maternity Hospital on the St Vincent's University Hospital campus, the Design Team is continuing to work on the detailed design of the hospital and the preparation of tender documents. This development will of course represent the flagship project of the National Maternity Strategy and will constitute the largest single investment ever made in maternity services in Ireland. Work on a legal framework to protect the State's interest in the project is expected to conclude shortly.

I have been advised that the Rotunda hospital has commissioned consultants to prepare a draft Design Brief. In addition, I understand that work is nearing completion on a Development Control Plan for the Connolly campus and this will support the orderly development of future capital projects on that campus. In relation to the redevelopment and relocation of University Maternity Hospital Limerick, I understand that a site feasibility study has been completed and a location has been determined for a new maternity hospital on the grounds of University Hospital Limerick at Dooradoyle.