Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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660. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the construction of the 60-bed interim unit at University Hospital Limerick; when works will commence; the expected cost of the project; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16877/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure.

At present the draft Capital Plan 2020 is being reviewed and revised to take account of the impact of Covid-19 and includes a number of developments at Limerick University Hospital. The HSE has advised that the 60-Bed Ward Block (additional capacity) is expected to be completed for Q4 2020.

It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.

The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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661. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the construction of the 24-bed interim unit at University Hospital Limerick; when works will commence; the expected cost of the project; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16878/20]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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664. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the 24-bed interim unit at University Hospital Limerick; when these units will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16881/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 661 and 664 together.

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure.

The HSE has advised that the 24-Bed Rapid Build Ward was issued with a substantial completion certificate on the 3rd July, it is currently being equipped and will be ready to become operational by the end of July. The cost of the project is expected to be €12.5m

It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.

The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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662. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the construction of the 96-bed inpatient facility at University Hospital Limerick; when works will commence; the expected cost of the project; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16879/20]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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665. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the 96-bed inpatient facility at University Hospital Limerick; when these units will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16882/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 662 and 665 together.

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure.

At present the draft Capital Plan 2020 is being reviewed and revised to take account of the impact of Covid-19 and includes a number of developments at Limerick University Hospital. The HSE has advised that the 96-Bed Replacement Ward Block is currently at Design Stage.

It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.

The final decision to proceed with the construction of a project cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal delivers value for money and remains affordable, and that sufficient funding is available to fund the project to completion, including equipping and commissioning costs.

The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, which can impact on the timeline for delivery.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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663. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the 60-bed interim unit at University Hospital Limerick; when these units will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16880/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to continuing investment in our health care services in line with the recommendations of the Health Service Capacity Review and the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.

The Capacity Review found that the net requirement, in a reform scenario, is for an additional 2,590 hospital beds by 2031 (inpatient, day case, critical care) with an immediate requirement for 1,290 beds to address overcrowding and to ensure hospitals operated at 85% occupancy in line with other OECD countries. Approximately 770 additional beds have been provided to date. The National Development Plan provides for the addition of the full 2,590 beds by the earlier date of 2027.

Since December 2017, an additional 25 beds have opened in University Hospital Limerick. A capital budget of €19.5 million has been approved for the provision of a modular 60-bed inpatient ward block at University Hospital Limerick, with funding of €10 million allocated in 2019. The HSE have advised that the enabling works are complete, and the main contractor is now on site. The 60 bed modular unit is on course to be completed as planned in Q4 2020. This important project will go some way towards addressing the acknowledged lack of bed capacity in the region.