Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

687. To ask the Minister for Health the date on which St. Vincent's Healthcare Group sought an operating licence from his Department for the proposed maternity hospital; if this licence is a condition of the lease on offer to Government of the land on which the new facility is to be built; if he will now publish both the lease and the licence; and, if not, the reason therefor. [54763/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new National Maternity Hospital were set out in the Mulvey Agreement, which was finalised in 2016 following an extensive mediation process between the NMH and St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG). The Mulvey Agreement provides for the establishment of a new company - National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC - which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.

The draft legal framework that has been developed is designed to copperfasten these arrangements and to ensure protection of the State’s investment. Under the draft legal framework the new hospital will be built on a site leased by the State from SVHG. The draft framework also provides for an Operating Licence to be issued by the HSE to NMH at Elm Park DAC and SVHG to facilitate the provision of health services in the new building.

Work is ongoing to finalise the legal arrangements. However, as I have clarified previously, I will not be making any further comment in relation to this matter until this process has concluded.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

688. To ask the Minister for Health if the new draft constitution of St. Vincent's Healthcare Group which has been approved by the Charities Regulator and by the Revenue Commissioners has been submitted to his Department; if so, the date on which it was submitted; if this constitution forms part of the legal framework under discussion with his Department; and if the draft constitution will constrain the clinical guidance of the new hospital. [54764/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand that the draft Constitution of SVHG has been published on the SVHG website.

The proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) were set out in the Mulvey Agreement. In regard to the question of any constraint on the clinical guidance of the new hospital, the Mulvey Agreement provides for the establishment of a new company - National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC - which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.

The draft legal framework that has been developed is designed to copperfasten these arrangements and to ensure protection of the State’s investment. Work is ongoing towards the finalisation of the legal arrangements.

I have been clear that I will not bring any proposal to Government unless it affirms that the State’s investment in the new hospital is safeguarded, as well as providing assurances around all legally permissible services being provided in the new NMH. However, as I have stated previously, I will not be making any further comment in relation to this matter until the process has concluded.