Hospital projects delayed due to concerns about costs

A number of planned hospital developments have reportedly been delayed because of concerns about the cost of the projects.

Reports this morning said the development of new facilities at Longford/Westmeath General Hospital in Mullingar and the Mater Hospital in Dublin had been delayed on the orders of Minister for Health Mary Harney.

The reports said the move was part of an agreement with the Department of Finance that led to approval for €600m worth of capital funding for the health service.

Minister for Finance Brian Cowen had reportedly only agreed to sanction the investment if the Mullingar scheme be delayed and if the Mater project was subject to final approval from his department.