Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

6 o’clock

This reply is desperately disappointing and unacceptable. It is effectively kicking the can down the road to the Estimates of 2018, which means there will be no movement on this until 2018 at the very earliest. It is condemning patients to life on trolleys in huge numbers over the next autumn-winter period. A trolley bay of 11 has been provided and while it is helpful it is not a solution. It is effectively hiding away the problem in a trolley bay and, worse still, it is robbing Peter to pay Paul because this trolley bay area was already identified for day procedures and minor surgery, so that is also being affected.

I understand a senior medical professional from the South-South West hospital group did a forensic analysis of the bed capacity requirements at the hospital recently. That official has confirmed that 35 to 40 additional beds are needed at the hospital. The report on this has been with the HSE for some time and is being held up at a very senior level in the HSE. Will the Minister of State confirm that this report, which is now with the HSE, will be published and when it will be published? Will he immediately request the senior Minister, Deputy Harris, who made a commitment and a promise in regard to this last October, nine months ago, to approve and provide funding for the 40 additional beds that are needed in this hospital?

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