Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important issue for my constituents in south Tipperary. A 23-bed unit that was completed in July 2007 lies idle. This is an utter disgrace. It is one of the issues which has been highlighted in the debate on the HSE. Why would anybody spend money on developing a unit only to leave it idle when patients lie on trolleys in South Tipperary General Hospital week in, week out? This is an abuse of public money. It is unfair of the HSE and the Minister to allow this to happen. I impress on the Minister the urgency with which the Department needs to handle this issue. It is unfair to expect HSE officials and management in the hospital in south Tipperary to continue to have to put patients on trolleys. That is unfair and unjust and totally wrong. This unit could deal with asthma patients or patients with chest pains. It could be the first point of care after patients are admitted to the hospital through the accident and emergency department. It could also be a backup unit for the medical and surgical units and for patients with pneumonia, who have had a stroke and a range of illnesses.

Limerick Regional Hospital which is not far away has a unit only one quarter the size of this unit which is left idle. The unit has been fitted out with new equipment. This is a blatant abuse of taxpayers' money. I hope that as a result of my raising the issue jointly with my colleague, Deputy McGrath, something will be done with this unit.

See this speech in context