Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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He is well aware, therefore, that the accident and emergency department in Limerick Regional Hospital is not fit for purpose and that the overcrowding is unacceptable. What is the delay in the new accident and emergency department being built? I understand from the main contractor, Sisk, that the shell of the accident and emergency department is built and ready for a fit-out. Sisk is about to move off site. It is already a year under construction. I understand that the tenders are only now in place to do the fit-out at the new accident and emergency department in Limerick Regional Hospital and that the contractors will not be in place until November. Why are the contractors not ready to roll on the fit-out today? Why was there not a parallel process? It appears to me that there is a six month delay in the contractors being appointed for the fit-out. Is there a problem with funding? My understanding is that there is no problem with funding; €20 million has been allocated already. We have a problem of major overcrowding in the accident and emergency department in Limerick Regional Hospital for the patients and the staff alike. I am sure Mr. O'Brien is well aware of that.