Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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122. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 784 of 15 February 2022, the status of plans for the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16727/22]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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133. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide updated plans for the new National Maternity Hospital at St. Vincent's University Hospital. [16807/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 133 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.

This is a vital project and work is ongoing to finalise the legal framework that will underpin the relocation of the NMH to the Elm Park campus. The core objectives of the legal framework are to ensure that:

- firstly, all clinically appropriate services that are legally permissible are provided for women who need them in the new NMH;

- secondly, to prevent any undue influence, religious or otherwise in the operation of the new hospital; and

- thirdly, to protect the State’s investment, in relation to capital, revenue and service provision at the new hospital, for the public good.

In that regard there has been further engagement with stakeholders and this process is continuing. Once I am satisfied that the legal arrangements achieve the clear objectives that I set out above, then I will bring a proposal to Government for approval to proceed with this project.