Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In the context of the capital envelope framework 2005-2009, the Health Service Executive was allocated a capital budget of €564 million for 2005. On 20 June my Department conveyed sanction to proceed with a comprehensive programme of projects and works. This sanction was subject to the general terms and conditions applicable to all public capital expenditure and specific conditions surrounding how identified revenue or ongoing costs arising from certain projects would be addressed. Given the magnitude of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital project, this letter also stated that my Department's specific sanction should be obtained before the project can proceed to tender. This condition was included to ensure that both my Department and the Department of Health and Children are satisfied that all proper procedures have been followed in the context of the procurement process, that the necessary capital funding is in place for the duration of the project and that ongoing staffing and resource issues arising out of the project are considered and addressed in advance of signing of contracts.