Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

Will the critical care unit promised for the Mid-western Regional Hospital in Limerick be in place before there is a reduction in accident and emergency services in Ennis and Nenagh, as proposed? Will the ambulance services be available, as promised? Patients will not be any safer sitting on trolleys for hours on end waiting for attention in the accident and emergency in Limerick than they will be in the smaller hospitals. While the Minister says it is a matter of safety, surely putting in the resources and capacity in the central regional hospital is vital to safety.

Could the Minister answer a question on colorectal screening I raised during my contribution? Will she assure us that the funding promised for this year to provide the screening into the future will be made available so the programme can go ahead in the timeframe planned?

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