Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The announcement to which I referred was made on 5 October 2011 by the hospital manager following a meeting between the hospital executive team and it was communicated to staff by a memo on that day. The 24 hour accident and emergency unit in the hospital is safe. The hospital is not being closed. As I said, some beds will be closed because the hospital is over budget. It signed up to a budget at the beginning of the year.

The announcement made was communicated to all staff by the hospital manager in the context of a review that was being carried out, as is required. The HSE reviewed other possible options to save money or increase revenue but concluded they would not generate sufficient savings in the short term. Cost reductions from the measures I listed are estimated by the HSE to save approximately €180,000 between now and year end. The Minister, Deputy Reilly, visited the hospital last week and I am glad the Deputy took the opportunity to visit it.

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