Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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655. To ask the Minister for Health the precise work done to date by the HSE and his Department to comply with the rules governing public spending on State capital projects in respect of the expansion of the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15979/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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All Irish public bodies are obliged to ensure that the best possible value-for-money is obtained whenever public money is being spent or invested. The Public Spending Code (the Code) is the set of rules and procedures that apply to ensure that this requirement is upheld across the Irish public service.

The Department of Health works closely with the HSE to ensure that requirements of the Code are applied robustly and in an appropriate and proportionate manner in the planning and delivery of projects in the sector.

In line with procedures in the sector a Capital Submission in relation to a proposed new extension of the existing Emergency Department at Mayo University Hospital was received by HSE from the Saolta Hospital Group and the local Capital & Estates office in January 2021 for consideration by the HSE's National Capital & Property Steering Committee. During the National Capital & Property Steering Committee meeting in April 2021 it was recommended for the project to be included in the HSE’s Capital Investment Programme.

In line with this recommendation the project has been included in the Capital Programme. Following the appointment of the design team, the completion of initial surveys and design work a Preliminary Business Case will be prepared in line with the Public Spending Code.

Timelines and progress of the project through the stages of the Code will be dependant on a number of factors including outcomes from design phase and availability of funding.