Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the detailed report, and thank Mr. O'Brien as well. I particularly thank the Minister for his extensive explanation on the medical card. I welcome the Chairman's request to revisit the centre. We might be able to ask more questions then, rather than delay today.

On the committee appointed under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013, I wonder is there any chance we could have a list of those appointed to this group. Of course, I welcome the appointment of Dr. Eilish Hardiman as CEO of the new national children's hospital, and Dr. Jim Browne. I wonder is there any listing for that committee that Dr. Browne will be looking after for the hospital.

My main question relates to question No. 32. I thank the Minister and the Department for replies to it and earlier questions.

I have been here for the past 18 months practically banging the table in crying out for Hollybrook Lodge in Inchicore to be opened. The glass is half full because, although it will be opened, we are not getting what was promised. We were promised 50 new long-term beds in the community and that 9% of the beds would be allocated locally. Having met the CEO of St. James's Hospital and Mr. David Walsh and having been told the unit will be taken over by St. James's Hospital to facilitate the demolition of hospital 7, which I fully appreciate and understand, the position is clear to me. However, there is growing anger in the community as the beds were to be new beds, not a replacement for long-term beds from any other hospital. However, I understand the urgency in getting the brownfield site ready for the new hospital.

People in the community have spoken to me about the services that are to be in the unit. They have asked about respite for people locally. We were promised 9% of the beds. Will this be the case? We have practically been told that we would get the crumbs off the table at the end of the day. This is a very sad position to put any community in considering the support that was given locally. There were no local planning problems associated with allowing the unit to be brought into service.

I welcome the development, but with reluctance, because we need more beds. We should not just be filling in for other hospitals. I appreciate the urgency but would like the Minister to take on board what I said. When he is speaking to the CEO in St. James's Hospital, I hope he will make it very clear that the people of Inchicore want proper services. If the unit is to be in place, we want 9% of the beds and some respite beds. Respite beds are not accounted for at present. This should be examined also.