Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has criticised the HSE for failing to publish the 2019 capital plan more than six months into the year.
The plan, which determines the projects that can progress in 2019, still has not been finalised and is due in the coming weeks. But opposition TDs have complained about the lack of progress so far.
Donegal Fianna Fáil TD Pat the Cope Gallagher is concerned about the impact of the cost overruns this year: “We know from officials that the HSE was forced to change the capital plan substantially because of the massive overspend on the National Children’s Hospital, but we know little else as it hasn’t been published.
“Despite numerous Ministers telling us that no projects would be cancelled as a result of the overrun, the HSE national director of strategic planning and transformation acknowledged that the ‘issue at the national children’s hospital will have a very significant impact on our plan’,” he said.
Pat the Cope said that it is hard not to be cynical in relation to the delay and to question why the Government have not yet published the plan yet.
“Is it because they know that there will be capital projects cancelled or postponed,” he asked.
“I had highlighted previously the Donegal concerns which I had regarding pending capital projects, some months ago I expressed concerns regarding the future capital commitment to upgrade the three Donegal Community Hospitals namely St Joseph’s Stranorlar, Ramelton and Lifford Community Hospitals, also I was concerned regarding the impact it would have on the O’Cleirigh Centre Donegal Town. In the context of the present capital plan being a full 6 months late in publication, meaning that half the year is gone before funding is released then my concerns are well and truly justified,” concluded Pat the Cope.