Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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314. To ask the Minister for Health pursuant to the National Development Plan 2021-2030, if he will provide a status update on the development of the promised cancer care centre for Galway University Hospital; the timeline for the completion of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58601/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the National Cancer Strategy, the model of care for hospital cancer treatment is centred on eight Designated Cancer Centres serving a defined population and geographic area. University Hospital Galway (UHG) is one of the eight Designated Cancer Centres. The centralisation of specialist services into Designated Cancer Centres aims to optimise patient outcomes, through case volume, multidisciplinary working and infrastructural supports.

Saolta Hospital Group has made a Capital Submission to the National Capital & Property Steering Committee for a Galway Cancer Care Centre. The proposed submission would be in excess of €100m and therefore will follow the full requirements under the Public Spending Code and the HSE Capital Projects Manual & Approvals Protocol.

Approval and support from Services must be obtained before the NC&PSC can review this project. If approved, it will progress to Gate 0 of the public spending code. At Gate 0 it will be submitted to my Department for review.

All projects being progressed must be compliant with the Public Spending Code (PSC). I am unable to provide an estimated timeline before the project scope has been approved. The final decision to proceed with the construction of a given project cannot be made until each stage of the PSC is approved; this includes the tender process which has to be completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal remains affordable and delivers value for money.