Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the concerns and frustration of the Deputy. Unfortunately, this situation was unforeseen. I acknowledge the matter has gone on for some time but the Minister explained he will be visiting this week. What plan will be put in place will become more apparent at that stage as will the position regarding cancelled procedures and which patients will be brought into the system. I have given the Deputy all the estimated numbers I have here. I cannot give her anything different. I note that on 19 September, the Saolta group said 80 patients had been impacted by this issue. They have been contacted and advised that their procedures will be deferred and rescheduled at a later date. The Saolta group also estimates that 60 patients per week are generally treated in the theatres concerned. As such, there has been a huge impact on an overburdened health service. People with orthopaedic illnesses who need surgery must be attended to as quickly as possible.

I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Minister. I emphasise that after he meets the representatives of the hospital group, the Minister will come back to the Deputy with a proper outline of the plan for patient treatment over the coming months and weeks, however long it takes to repair the hospital roof. There may also be other necessary repairs which have to be done and that may add to the time it takes. I will go to the Minister and ask him to revert specifically to the Deputy on this matter when he returns from meeting people in Galway University Hospital.

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