Community hospitals and children's hospital
Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked whether community hospital projects in Donegal would be delayed by the national children's hospital overruns. The Taoiseach said none of the named projects were being delayed because of the children's hospital and no community nursing unit funds had been diverted.
Yesterday the Taoiseach chided members of the Opposition for indicating that capital projects might be delayed as a result of the total mismanagement by the Government of the national children's hospital project.
I want to ask the Taoiseach about comments made in a radio interview in County Donegal by his Cabinet Minister, Deputy Joe McHugh, where he indicated that a number of community hospital projects would be delayed as a result of the national children's hospital mismanagement, namely projects at Carndonagh, Ramelton, St. Joseph's and Lifford community hospitals. Can the Taoiseach clarify today whether the Minister, Deputy McHugh, is correct that those projects will be delayed, or if the position has changed with regard to those areas?
Comment on this
I did not hear the Minister's remarks so I cannot really comment on them. None of those projects is being deferred or delayed as a result of the consequences of the escalating costs of the national children's hospital. They may well be delayed for other reasons but not one euro has been taken from the budget for community nursing units for the children's hospital.