David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to ask the Minister about two separate local issues. I do not often use my opportunity to raise local issues but they are obviously important. There was a proposal to build an orthopaedic unit, a new stand-alone centre of excellence for University Hospital Waterford. This was announced a long time ago and the former CEO of the hospital group briefed Oireachtas Members in the south east on it about four years ago. Where is that in the capital approval process? Will we see it?

Comments were made by the Taoiseach recently, as the Minister knows, about the potential for 24-7 emergency cardiac services for Waterford. It was since clarified that this is still subject to review. I imagine the review the Taoiseach was talking about is the national review that was in train and was interrupted to some extent by Covid. We still have no sense of when that will be published. Given that this is an emotive and important issue, when are we likely to get some clarity on that? If the policy is that delivery of 24-7 emergency cardiac care for Waterford and the south east is under review, what does that mean? What is the review process and when will we see the outcome of that review?