Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has received an update regarding the business case submitted to the major projects advisory group within his Department for an elective hospital in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56245/22]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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126. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm that his Department has now signed off on the proposals submitted to it by the Department of Health in respect of the elective hospital for Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56366/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 126 together.

Enhanced external scrutiny was a key recommendation from the PWC Escalation in National Children’s Hospital Costs Review and the establishment of the Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) is one of the key reforms brought in by my Department to meet recommendations in that review. Assessment by MPAG is an essential element of ensuring value for money and robust project governance for the proposed Elective Care Centres.

The Preliminary Business Case and External Review for the proposed Elective Care Centre in Cork were submitted to my Department by the Department of Health for review by MPAG on 27th September. Prior to seeking Government approval at Decision Gate 1, these are being considered by MPAG alongside the Preliminary Business Case and External Review for the proposed Elective Care Centre in Galway. 

The full review meeting between MPAG and the Department of Health occurred  on Thursday, November 10^thand MPAG is now in the process of finalising its review note on the proposals. This note, outlining the findings and recommendations of the Group, will be submitted to the Department of Health and my Department shortly.