Written answers

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Department of Health

Health Services Funding

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1438. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he expects the 2021 Budget for his Department to meet in full the capital projects in addition to extra costs arising from Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33783/20]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Health capital allocation in 2021 is now €1,035m (incl. e-Health and ICT) as notified in the context of Budget 2021. This includes additional capital funding of €155m (incl. €25m for the delivery of ICT related COVID-19 actions) provided by the Government for capital projects in response to Covid-19 in 2021.

The National Development Plan 2018 – 2027 sets out the total health capital funding to 2027 for the development of health infrastructure in line with health policies, strategies and in support of the reforms set out in Sláintecare. The Department engages with DPER in the determination of the annual health capital allocation as part of the annual estimates process and with the HSE to finalise a Capital Plan. A structured, in depth review of the NDP is to be carried out as set out in the Programme for Government to align the priorities identified in the Programme for Government with the associated resourcing requirements. The objective is to have the NDP review concluded by Summer 2021 and to have ten-year capital ceilings out to 2031 alongside five year rolling Departmental capital ceilings and priorities.

The HSE is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure and will develop a Capital Plan, guided by national healthcare strategies, policies and Government priorities and having regard to the available funding and the number of large national capital projects currently underway. In drafting this plan, priority must be given to meeting contractual commitments. A Letter of Determination will issue to the HSE to advise it of its funding allocation for 2021 and requesting it to prepare a Capital Plan on this basis. The Department will engage proactively with the HSE over the coming weeks prior to the submission of the proposed capital plan.

The HSE’s National Capital and Property Steering Committee appraises all project submissions to recommend the selection of projects for inclusion in the Capital Plan, subject to funding availability. 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 capital funding for health in 2021 will contribute to the delivery of modern health facilities and equipment to improve and expand service provision and capacity across the country, both key aspects of Sláintecare and Project Ireland 2040.

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