Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I endorse the comments of my colleague, Deputy Michael Smith. In September 2004, the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, approved €2.2 million for the extension to the accident and emergency department, laboratory and radiology department at Nenagh hospital. This was to address the deficits and build on the strengths identified in the Hanly report for the future of the hospital, which was one of the pilot project hospitals in the report of the task force. Planning and tender were approved.

For some reason, however, we have learned the development is to go ahead without the extension to the x-ray department. We are here this evening to make it known to the Minister and the Department that we will not accept this. The accident and emergency, pathology and radiology departments are interdependent. Radiology is in need of expansion, no more than the accident and emergency department and the laboratory.

A CT scanner is also needed. The Minister of State knows of the logjam at the regional hospital in Limerick. If we secure a CT scanner as part of the radiology extension, we will be able to perform x-rays that would normally be sent to Limerick with accompanying medical and nursing staff. If our package goes ahead as originally approved by the Minister for Health and Children in 2004 we will be able to conduct those services under the one roof at Nenagh hospital.

If radiology is discommoded, the extensions to the accident and emergency department and to the laboratory will be less productive. Savings in costs from not sending patients to Limerick will be to the financial benefit of the hospital and to those who avail of the services.

I call on the Minister to address the urgent need for the approval of all parts of the extension for Nenagh hospital. It is essential approval is granted when we consider the growing population of north Tipperary, with people from as far as Littleton, Upperchurch, Redwood and Lorrha availing of the services at the hospital.

If we are to see reform in the health service, it is only right that Nenagh hospital should be a pilot project. Management had the courage to undertake the project following the Hanly report and should now get its just reward. We are not looking for anything extra, simply for what was agreed last year, the extensions to the accident and emergency department, the laboratory and radiology department.

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