Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am raising the issue of the respiratory unit for cystic fibrosis patients in Cork University Hospital for several reasons, not least of which is the current crisis. I knew personally several people who passed away as a consequence of that terrible illness, including Billy Burke who passed away a number of years ago, Mary Hand from Dingle and Kieran Treacy who was a great friend of mine. I am concerned that the proposed 20 bed adult respiratory ward in Cork University Hospital has not yet been activated. Mr. Joe Browne, a Kerryman whose 14 year old son Pádraig has cystic fibrosis, started a fantastic campaign, Build4Life, which raised €2.3 million to fund a ten bed ward at the hospital. Construction of the ward commenced in January 2014 and was completed by January this year, but I am told the ward has not been opened owing to staff shortages.

I am sure the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, has visited cystic fibrosis patients. I am a regular visitor to cystic fibrosis patients in the Mater hospital. Given their vulnerability to infection, the importance of a specialised ward cannot be overstated. When will sufficient staff be made available to open the unit? I hope the Minister of State can give this matter her immediate attention.

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