Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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784. To ask the Minister for Health the status of plans for the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8052/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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922. To ask the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding the provision and location of the National Maternity Hospital; the extent of services anticipated in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8433/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 784 and 922 together.

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 Government is also aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding ownership and governance of the new NMH, and recognises that these matters must be addressed.

The relocation of the NMH is a vital project and I have been clear that I will not bring any proposal to Government unless it provides assurances around all legally permissible services being provided in the new NMH. The safeguarding of the State’s investment must also be affirmed beyond doubt. As I have stated previously, work is ongoing on the legal arrangements that will be put in place to achieve these objectives.

There is a process ongoing to finalise the legal arrangements and in that regard there has been further engagement with stakeholders. I will bring a proposal to Government for approval to proceed once I am satisfied that the legal arrangements achieve the objectives that I set out above. However, I will not be making any further comment in relation to this matter until the process of engagement and deliberation regarding the legal arrangements has concluded.