Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise an issue relating to medical health care in Tipperary, particularly the position regarding the former acute hospital, Our Lady's hospital in Cashel. The position in respect of Cashel is that many people in Tipperary are baffled and bewildered as to why we have a magnificent building, on which the HSE spent €20 million since 2007 and which is under-utilised.

We have three floors that are empty that could take 30 to 35 beds. They are in excellent condition. I am asking that the unit be re-opened and developed as a primary and community care centre. It is lying idle, which is shameful, and it is mind-boggling that the Health Service Executive, HSE, is not getting on with utilising the building to its maximum potential.

Since the last election, I have focused much of my attention on ensuring this unit can be properly utilised in the interests of delivering health care in Tipperary. We have had numerous meetings about it and the Minister, Deputy Harris, visited the hospital. He said he was bewildered by the fact that the unit was not being used to its full extent. He committed to establishing a working group within the HSE to consider ways and means as to how best to avail of facilities in the interests of the patient public in Tipperary. The HSE has since carried out a thorough evaluation of the necessary structures and supports to enable Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel to function as a day hospital and community care centre with particular emphasis on the medical needs of older people.

The HSE must accept that utilising community hospital facilities to support and care for non-acute patients is the way forward. In Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel, we have an ideal and top of the range facility that is there to care for patients and, in particular, people who do not need intensive and acute support. I have discussed this with the Minister, Deputy Harris, on numerous occasions. I ask the Minister opposite, who speaks on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Government to outline the plans for the future of the hospital. We have been waiting in expectation of a response to our queries for a considerable period. A number of weeks ago, the Minister told me he would be in a position shortly to make a decision so I hope the Minister opposite will be able to communicate that decision to me this evening.

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