Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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169. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to develop new healthcare infrastructure in the mid-west to match the demographic targets set out in Ireland 2040, the national planning framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52449/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am committed to the continued development of healthcare infrastructure to enable the provision of high-quality health services in line with Programme for Government, National Planning Framework and National Development Plan priorities and targets.

There has been extensive investment in development of healthcare infrastructure nationally and in the mid-west region in recent years.  I am happy to confirm that this will continue in 2023, with capital funding allocated for the construction and equipping of healthcare facilities of €1.017 billion, an increase of 11% over 2022.

There have been a number of capital projects completed in the Mid-West region since 2020, including a 24 Bed Rapid Build Ward at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, a 16 single rooms and 4 double rooms Ward Block extension and refurbishment programme at Mid-Western Regional Hospital Nenagh, and a new 60 bed ward block University Hospital Limerick. Progress on development of important projects in the region continues and just last week, I broke the ground on a 96-bed ward block development at University Hospital Limerick which has an estimated construction period of two years. A range of other projects across the mid-west region in acute and community settings are in train and included in the Capital Plan 2022. The Capital Plan for 2023 is currently in development and will continue investment in the region.

To enhance the assessment of healthcare infrastructure projects for development, including considerations and targets set out in Project Ireland 2040, my Department is developing a Strategic Healthcare Investment Framework. This Framework will build on the extensive research and papers recently published by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service which looked at areas including historical investment in health, investment criteria, capacity and condition of assets across the sector and regions.

The Framework will set out criteria for use in assessing investment proposals including patient safety and regulatory requirements, regional/population requirements and climate action considerations.

The Framework will enhance transparency and efficiency in the consideration and selection of healthcare infrastructure investment proposals and ensuring alignment with National Planning Framework and National Development Plan Strategic Outcomes and health policies and strategies.

My Department are continuing to engage with stakeholders on the Framework prior to its publication and implementation, which is expected in the coming weeks.