Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister opened an endoscopy unit at Roscommon County Hospital that is doing brilliant work. We have moved quite a long way in respect of this emergency department. It was contained in the programme for Government and was given priority. The design has been completed and has been accepted by HSE Estates. It is now a question of being able to provide for that within the adjustment of the capital programme for 2017. I would also make the point that, as the Deputy knows, a 75-bed unit has just been completed and will be commissioned and equipped by the end of this year, hopefully. That will free up a number of other wards that can be closed for refurbishment in order to help this situation.

The staffing numbers have increased somewhat in the emergency department. There are 54 whole-time equivalents there, including newly appointed clinical nurse managers who do an absolutely first-class job.

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