Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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367. To ask the Minister for Health when funding for the promised extension to the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital will be provided. [25571/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive's National Capital & Property Steering Group are currently considering an application for capital developments at the Emergency Department, the Medical Assessment Unit and additional bed capacity at Mayo University Hospital. The HSE has informed my Department that further information has been requested by the Steering Group in relation to this application. It is expected that this information will be provided in advance of the next meeting of the Steering Group in September 2019.

This project at Mayo University Hospital is at the very early stages of development. It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals, including this one, must progress through detailed appraisal, planning and design, procurement, construction and commissioning stages before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.

The availability of funding, the relative priority and the stage in the project's lifecycle determines the timeframe for the delivery of capital projects such as the proposed capital developments at the Emergency Department and the Medical Assessment Unit at Mayo University Hospital.

Our plans for the 2019 bed capacity programme include preparation of 202 beds, including 10 additional beds in Mayo University Hospital, during 2019, with a view to bringing this extra capacity into operation early in 2020.

Mayo University Hospital is an integral part of the Saolta Hospital Group providing health services and care to the people of Mayo and the west of Ireland. The Hospital provides quality patient care, delivered safely by skilled and valued staff, through the best use of available resources. This Government is committed to developing services and infrastructure at Mayo University Hospital.