Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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294. To ask the Minister for Health his future plans for new hospitals in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18976/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government's new National Development Plan includes a new acute hospital for Cork among its proposals. Further planning to progress investment in this new facility will now be undertaken, including full evaluation of local capacity and infrastructural needs and a framework for decision-making on the optimal location from a clinical and population needs perspective.

It is important to recognise that the National Development Plan is a long-term plan which provides for a large number of health developments across the country, including both national programmes and individual projects, across acute, primary and social care. We must ensure that we carefully plan the use of this capital funding so as to meet the population needs and achieve value for money. Health capital projects and programmes currently underway will continue. As is to be expected with a ten year plan, many proposals, including the new hospital in Cork, are at an early stage and will require to progress through appraisal, planning, design and tender before a firm location, timeline or funding required can be established.