Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The clinical advice is not to open more emergency departments. However, there is a need and desire to make hospitals within the hospital group, including Ennis, busier with regard to the volume of work they do and the range of services they provide. I definitely believe in that. Since this Government came to office, UHL has seen its staff numbers grow by 1,183 and its budget increase by 45%. It has 98 new beds opened. There are a range of other initiatives which the Minister announced last week. There is a real need now for a return on investment and reform of delivery. I am looking to the management of UHL to step up in that regard.

See this speech in context