Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for permission to raise this important matter. I hope the Minister of State has good news because the Government has spent more than €11.5 million on a state-of-the-art accident and emergency unit in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, which has lain idle since the end of last year. It is, therefore, in its fifth month without use. In the meantime, every week dozens of patients lie on trolleys in the hospital. Patients, staff and the good name of the hospital are suffering as a result. The hospital has received bad publicity in the past but the medical staff want this facility to work. The people need the unit, which should have been built five years ago. It is well behind schedule and we want to look forward to its opening.

A total of 34 additional staff are needed for the new unit but I understand this is an issue. The taxpayer has made a commitment to a state-of-the-art facility in the north east and it is imperative that the Government recruits the necessary staff. The HSE has not made a decision to prevent the unit opening. It is prepared to hire the staff but the issue is whether the Minister will give consent in order that specialist nursing and care staff can be appointed.

This week the Drogheda Independent described the appalling conditions in which people must work and in which patients must stay. A 91-year old lady suffering from Alzheimer's disease spent more than 28 hours on a trolley while a 70-year old woman spent more than 32 hours on a trolley in recent months. It is not good enough. When will the unit open? Why has consent not been given to recruit staff? The people of the north east need this facility. The Government has closed services in Dundalk and Monaghan, which people have not accepted, and there is significant pressure on the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, which is chock-a-block day and night. Sick people need the new unit and medical staff, who have waited patiently for many years for this facility are becoming increasingly angry that they have to look at a ghost department. State-of-the-art beds and equipment are covered in plastic and cannot be used. Doctors and nurses with tremendous skills need this equipment and they need to provide a service to save lives. Patient care is suffering as a result. I hope the Minister of State has good news.

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