Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

62. To ask the Minister for Health the status on the delivery of the 96-bed medical ward block replacement accommodation at Wexford General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61245/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Health has yet to receive any proposals in relation to the 96-bed medical ward block at Wexford General Hospital. However, my understanding is that the HSE is currently compiling a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for this proposal to ensure full compliance with the Public Spending code (PSC). As the proposal is forecast to cost in excess of €100m it is expected that this SAR will be submitted to my Department in Q2 2023.

The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, in line with the new lifecycle approach of the updated Public Spending Code (PSC).

The PSC is designed to ensure that investment decisions are underpinned by a clear policy rationale, and that costs are well understood. In 2019, the PSC was updated and introduced a new project lifecycle, tightening the arrangements for project decision-making, and clarifying the roles of the parties involved including the responsibilities for Sponsoring Agencies and Approving Authorities.

These are defined processes in which all Departments and agencies are subject to and must follow to ensure that Government, as the approving authority for all major projects (i.e., those over costing over €100m) can be satisfied that the project is the best means to achieve a policy goal and that we achieve maximum value for money for the taxpayer.