Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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133. To ask the Minister for Health when the proposed new additional X-ray room at the newly developed extension to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda will be provided following the decision by HSE estates to withdraw the project in October 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14633/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to making tangible and sustainable improvements in our health services. This includes a major capital development at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. This project is being completed in phases and in totality the Phase 2 development will consist of, three ward floors providing 81 fully compliant single patient ensuite rooms, an extension to the existing Emergency Department and a Theatre Suite comprising five fully compliant operating rooms. Phase 2 of this project has already seen 29 ward beds open in December 2017, and a further 29 bed ward opened in April 2018.

The Department of Health has been informed by HSE Estates that the provision of a second X-ray room was discussed with service user groups but could not be delivered within the capital allocation for this project and as such was not been included in the project brief. A capital submission for a second x-ray room can be considered at a later date and subject to the availability of funding could be progressed.

Future investment in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, 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.

Project Ireland 2040 provides €10.9 billion for Health capital developments across the country, including both national programmes and individual projects, across acute, primary and social care. Health capital projects and programmes currently underway will continue. As to be expected with such a plan, many proposals are at an early stage and will require to progress through appraisal, planning design and tender before a firm timeline or funding required can be established.

The planning and management of future health expenditure is considered as part of the annual estimates and budgetary process which seeks to balance available funding across all service areas to achieve the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritise areas of greatest need.