David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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150. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for tri-location of the Coombe women’s and infants university hospital with the National Children’s Hospital and St. James’s Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60720/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In line with best international practice, it is Government policy, as re-iterated in the National Maternity Strategy, that the remaining standalone maternity hospitals, including the Coombe, should be co-located with adult acute hospitals. This policy commitment is re-stated in the National Development Plan 2021-2030. In addition, in the context of promoting women’s health, the Programme for Government commits to progress the planning, tender and design stages for the relocation of the Coombe to St James’s.

The HSE’s Capital Plan 2021 indicates that the project brief for the Coombe relocation is being developed. As such, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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151. To ask the Minister for Health the status of plans and timeline for the relocation of the Rotunda Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60721/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In line with best international practice, it is Government policy, as re-iterated in the National Maternity Strategy, that the remaining standalone maternity hospitals, including the Rotunda, should be co-located with adult acute hospitals. This policy commitment is re-stated in the National Development Plan 2021-2030. In addition, in the context of promoting women’s health, the Programme for Government commits to progress the planning, tender and design stages for the relocation of the Rotunda to Connolly Hospital.

The HSE’s Capital Plan 2021 indicates that the project brief for the Rotunda relocation is being developed. As such, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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152. To ask the Minister for Health the status of plans and timeline for the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60722/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) planned for the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus at Elm Park, as set out in the Programme for Government.

The proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new National Maternity Hospital were set out in the Mulvey Agreement, which 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.

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.

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