Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister quoted figures from January and February 2011 when there was a huge number of admissions to hospitals because people were afflicted with injuries due to the climate conditions and harsh weather. This could apply in any particular year and it can be cyclical.

Last week the Minister was in Cavan.

He saw the improvements that have been brought about at Cavan General Hospital on foot of the substantial investment that was made in new facilities at the hospital between 2000 and 2010. He will be aware that many of the additional services which have been provided at the hospital were not available ten or 12 years ago. That creates extra demand on the hospital. I am sure some of those involved at management level at the hospital had an opportunity to mention to the Minister last Friday that the accident and emergency unit needs new facilities. The number of people attending that unit has increased on foot of population growth in the area and the downgrading of services at Monaghan General Hospital. I hope the Minister will ensure the proposal to provide new-build facilities is advanced as quickly as possible through the HSE. The next time I table a parliamentary question to the Minister on this issue, which is of great importance to the people of Cavan and Monaghan, I hope he will be able to give me a more positive response than I have received up to now.

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