Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman for facilitating me as a non-member. I have two items to bring up, one of which is specific to Limerick and one of which is general. My question on Limerick refers to the new state-of-the-art accident and emergency department at University Hospital Limerick and is directed to Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Woods of the HSE and to the Minister. A commitment was given that the new accident and emergency department would be opened this coming March and that was deferred to May. We have seen in the most recent national service plan that there is talk of it now being October. I have spoken to the HSE and the Minister about this. It is critical that we stick to the May timeline. Recruitment is under way and the unit is due to be completed and fitted out over the next month.

The people of Limerick have waited a long time for this. It occurs against the backdrop of a reconfiguration which took place in 2009 when Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's accident and emergency departments were closed over a period with a commitment to establish a new department. Included in the reconfiguration plan - and this is where I want to compliment the HSE - was a proposal to collocate a 138-bed hospital at the University Hospital Limerick site. That did not come to pass.

In the last month, however, the acute hospital unit and, more particularly, Mr. Woods have approved the design phase for a 96-bed acute unit at the University Hospital Limerick site, adjacent to the new accident and emergency unit. I welcome that. The commitment I want today from Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Woods and the Minister is that if the accident and emergency department is ready in May, it will be funded to be opened in May.

The second issue with which I want to deal has already been touched on by a number of speakers. I have a personal interest in cystic fibrosis. My wife has a niece who is a sufferer and is a candidate for Orkambi. I know the significance of this. Mr. O'Brien has stated that the national drugs committee is not recommending this.