Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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698. To ask the Minister for Health if urgent funding will be provided to develop a new, stand-alone oncology-haematology unit on the grounds of University Hospital Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53771/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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A capital submission was made in 2021 for an interim modular building on the roof of the Palliative Care Unit and this was approved in February 2022 at an estimated total project cost of € 9.38 million. That capital submission was developed in response to impacts arising from the covid pandemic and the limited available footprint resulted in a compromised brief where accommodation was to be shared between the Day Treatment Ward and Outpatient Services, and no space was available for an Aseptic Compounding Unit.

In November 2022, the HSE decided to advance a much smaller interim oncology arrangement within approximately 268 square metres of newly vacated accommodation, and this was opened on October 2023.

As part of the stage one preliminary design process for the originally approved project, it was determined in March 2023 that the development of an oncology unit on the roof of the palliative care building was not an appropriate option to meet the medium or long term needs of the service and it was decided to investigate alternative locations.

An option studies overview was undertaken, and a preferred alternative location was identified in April 2023. It was decided to pursue a more appropriate and more substantial permanent proposal.

A revised brief and schedule of accommodation was completed in September 2023 for the proposed permanent oncology day treatment ward and outpatients unit. The total project cost for this proposal is provisionally estimated to be approximately € 46.9 million and this increased scope and cost has necessitated a new capital submission.

A detailed draft Stage one report was completed in August 2024. Some amendments to the draft Stage one report were requested in November 2024 and an addendum to the Stage one report was completed in February 2025.

The drafting of a new capital submission and business case for the permanent proposal has been prioritised since January 2025. University Hospital Kerry and capital and estates are prioritising the preparation of the capital submission for the proposed oncology day treatment ward and outpatients unit at University Hospital Kerry. The prioritisation of the capital list will be a matter for the HSE Regional Executive Office and the Regional Director for Planning.