Written answers

Thursday, 9 November 2023

Department of Health

Departmental Expenditure

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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78. To ask the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to deliver the promised 1,500 rapid-build hospital beds for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49087/23]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A 5-year allocation to 2025 of €5.657bn has been allocated to the Department of Health as part of the review of the National Development Plan (NDP). An 11% increase in funding year on year to 2025 this will support the strategic direction of health capital investment in the period.

The HSE have developed detailed and robust systems and procedures to appraise, manage and deliver infrastructure projects required for the provision of health services. These are aligned to the Public Spending Code.

The number of projects competing for inclusion in the Capital plan each year invariably exceeds available funding. This is the case in 2024 and a balanced approach to progressing the pipeline of projects across the sector must be applied.

The 1,500-bed programme will be progressed under Capital Plan 2024.

My Department is working in conjunction with the HSE to develop the Capital Plan 2024. Once finalised, the Capital Plan will be submitted to me for approval in my capacity as Minister for Health, prior to publication in line with established procedures.

There is a strong track record of delivery of infrastructure in the health sector. Every allocated euro in the current NDP provision is invested to ensure we deliver on our core goal of universal healthcare and this is underpinned by a strong pipeline of capital projects being progressed by the HSE and Department of Health.

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