Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There was a public meeting in Clifden the week before last regarding the district hospital. It is, in effect, a respite and step-down facility. It is very important in terms of end-of-life care for people who in their final days wish to pass away in their community and close to family if they have them. That is important for many people. People specifically want to end their days in Clifden, for example, even if they do not live too far away, such as in Carna or elsewhere. It is an important facility. There is an overall plan and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has given a commitment on the new 40-bed unit in St. Anne's that will eventually encompass the district hospital.

The hospital is closed at the moment. There was some confusion over whether already committed posts had to be approved for funding in cases where there were difficulties getting staff. It was unclear whether the current embargo extended to posts which had already been approved. The Minister clarified that there was no embargo. I am not sure whether there was no embargo or, if there was, whether it had been lifted. Where are we in terms of trying to recruit staff to ensure the facility stays open? As I am sure Mr. Gloster knows, depending on traffic and driving conditions, Clifden is at least an hour from University Hospital Galway and, taking city traffic into account, at least an hour and half or two hours from Merlin Park Hospital. What is the current position regarding reopening the facility?