Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That has been checked and the advice I have been given is that HIQA did not make such a recommendation. It did not recommend a second emergency department. I mention that for clarity. If the advice I am getting is incorrect, that is absolutely fine, but that is the advice I have.

My view is that there is a strong case for a second emergency department in the mid-west. That is why I have asked HIQA to do the review. HIQA previously referenced the potential for another model 3 hospital. That is essentially about more capacity, more beds, more theatres, more day cases and more outpatient treatments. As matters stand, the amount of additional capacity going into the mid-west is probably the equivalent of two model 3 hospitals. When we look at the increases at UHL, Nenagh, Croom, St. John's and Ennis, we see a total increase of close to 600 beds. We are already adding the equivalent of two large model 3 hospitals. I am posing the question of whether another emergency department on top of that is warranted. We have to let HIQA do its work. HIQA made it very clear to me that it needed time to do this. I am obviously very keen to get an answer as quickly as possible. This is difficult work. Some people will suggest investing in Nenagh Hospital, Ennis Hospital or St. John's Hospital as a model 3 and that an emergency department should be developed there. Others might say there should be a model 3 on the outskirts of Limerick city because that is the biggest population hub and for infrastructure reasons. Given the importance and sensitivity of the matter, HIQA was very keen to be given the time it felt necessary to give us the best answer it could. We did push HIQA and look for this to come back as quickly as possible. The timelines I have given the Senator are what HIQA has agreed to.