Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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806. To ask the Minister for Health if the proposed bed capacity of the elective hospital in County Cork included in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 has been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14275/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Development Plan stated that, “New dedicated ambulatory elective only hospital facilities will be introduced in Dublin, Galway and Cork. These facilities will provide high volume, low complexity procedures on a day and outpatient basis, together with a range of ambulatory diagnostic services. The high volume of demand for such services in these major urban centres is sufficient to justify the construction of dedicated ambulatory centres.”

The Elective Hospitals Oversight Group is currently developing a high-level facilities spatial brief and order of magnitude costs which details the elective clustering of appropriate activities for each of the three facilities in Dublin, Cork and Galway. This will also include an output and facility specification, based on efficient and effective service delivery. This is due to be complete in the Autumn of 2020.

This work is still ongoing and no publications have been made at this stage.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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808. To ask the Minister for Health if community groups will be engaged with in consultation prior to a decision on the location of the proposed elective hospital in County Cork included in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. [14277/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Development Plan 2018-2027 outlines that new dedicated ambulatory/elective-only hospital facilities will be delivered in Dublin, Cork and Galway to tackle waiting lists for scheduled care procedures.

This work is being directed through Sláintecare by the Elective Hospitals Oversight Group, and draws upon international evidence as well as best practice within an Irish context.

The group has ascertained the likely demand for elective/ambulatory care on a national basis with a focus on Dublin, Cork and Galway. The next phase, which will be completed in the Autumn, will be to develop a high-level facilities spatial brief and order of magnitude costs which details the elective clustering of appropriate activities for each of the three facilities in Dublin, Cork and Galway. This will also include an output and facility specification, based on efficient and effective service delivery.

This stage will also involve engagement with stakeholders and service providers.