Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise an important issue, namely, the ongoing delay in the provision of a long-promised 14-bed extension to Kenmare Community Hospital in County Kerry. Sadly this is not the first occasion on which I have had to bring this matter to the House.

The development of an extension to Kenmare Community Hospital was included in the then Southern Health Board's proposals under the National Development Plan 2001-2006. We have arrived at the year 2006 and the proposals for the speedy completion of this project are remote at best. This extension was promised by the Government under the National Development Plan 2001-2006. I have a press release from the then Southern Health Board dated 3 June 2000 hailing "major development". Included in its new programme of work the extension to Kenmare Community Hospital was costed at £2 million. The Health Service Executive submitted the draft accommodation brief for the extension to the Department of Health and Children in February 2003 and requested approval for the appointment of a design team for the project. Why has that request been gathering dust in the Department of Health and Children for three years?

The last reply I received to a parliamentary question from the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, was evasive, to say the least. It seems the entire project has stalled because of the review of the national development plan and the projects under its umbrella. In her reply the Tánaiste advised me that it was not possible to say with any certainty how quickly the project would progress through the planning and construction approval stages.

This is unacceptable to me and to the people of the greater Kenmare area. Why is it not possible to say when the hospital extension will proceed? The provision of the 14-bed extension to Kenmare Community Hospital is badly needed. The population of Kenmare has risen by more than 30% since 1996. Many retired and elderly people have settled in the area and the demand for additional beds in the community hospital is growing. The hospital serves a huge area, including Sneem, Castlecove, Laragh, Tuosist, Kilgarvan, Blackwater and the Black Valley. If the Minister knew the geography of that area, he would realise the huge area it includes. The population of this area deserves and demands better than evasive and non-committal answers from the Government.

I want to know what is going on. A 14-bed extension should not require intensive planning and resourcing. As I said, in 2000 the then Southern Health Board estimated the cost at just £2 million. Now, six years on, there is no sign of the extension, only delay after delay in advancing the project. I hope the Minister of State will advise me and the people of Kenmare what the delay is and what is happening. I do not want a scripted answer. I want the Minster of State to tell me and the people of the Kenmare area when they will see the extension to their local hospital. I also want a commitment to put on the record of this House when the funding will be in place to make the extension possible and to remove any obstacles and delays. There are obstacles and delays and the people of Kenmare and I deserve to know that they are.

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