Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I welcome that an additional €450,000 is included by the Health Service Executive for the funding in 2018 and 2019. I am sure it will contribute to the enhancement of services, particularly for older people in south Tipperary. I also welcome that consultation and discussions have been taking place with consultants and key personnel in the general hospital in Clonmel with a view to outsourcing some of the services currently being delivered from there. As the Minister is aware, there is a problem in Clonmel with overcrowding and that is compounded with the number of people attending clinic consultations at the general hospital there.

I very much welcome the commitment of the Minister, Deputy Harris, to Tipperary and to resolving the problems we have at South Tipperary General Hospital. A new 40-bed unit has gone to tender and other measures include a community intervention team to be based at Cashel. The reality is we have a unit in Cashel that is modern and vacant and that should be fully utilised for the benefit of patients on waiting lists or who encounter delays at outpatient clinics at Clonmel. I welcome the Minister's commitment to re-opening Cashel and I hope the ongoing discussions can be completed in the short term. This building has for many years been associated with the delivery of health care in Tipperary and I hope it can be fully re-opened so the people of Tipperary can utilise it to its maximum potential.

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