51 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has for the future of the Children's Hospital at Temple Street, Dublin 1; whether it is to be upgraded for a transfer; and the long-term plans, if any, there are for services for children in the city centre area following the transfer of the Harcourt Street Hospital to Tallaght. [11563/97]

Limerick East): It has been agreed in principle that the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, will be relocated on the campus of the Mater Hospital. It has also been accepted that future developments at the Mater Hospital would take into account the relocation of the Children's Hospital.

Pending relocation to the Mater Hospital site, a programme of improvements is ongoing at the Children's Hospital, Temple Street. In the interim, it is intended that the hospital will be provided with adequate facilities to enable it to perform its important functions in the delivery of paediatric hospital care.