Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

While I welcome the good news that the project will go ahead, I have a difficulty because similar news was relayed previously to the hospital authorities and the patients who use the facility. In that context, I am seeking an assurance from the Minister of State that the project will definitely go ahead. The dialysis unit at Tallaght Hospital is clearly not fit for purpose, given the number of patients being treated and the pressures on staff. There is also a danger of cross-infection because the beds are so close to each other. The HSE is spending over €4 million on private dialysis services and a further €1.2 million on patient transport services. What is happening does not make sense on either health or financial grounds. Clearly, if a commitment is given to go ahead with the project, it must be honoured. As I said, it was agreed to in 2017, but inexplicably the proposal was pulled in January this year. There is no problem with planning permission and the building of the new unit would not have a negative impact on the hospital or patients. It can be built quite readily and is badly needed to increase capacity. The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group is supportive of the project which forms part of the Government's national service plan. While I welcome the announcement made by the Minister of State that the project is to go ahead, my worry and that of everyone associated with the dialysis unit at Tallaght Hospital is that the development might be cancelled again. I have raised the matter on numerous occasions by way of a Topical Issues debate and parliamentary questions to the Minister. I have also written to the HSE about the matter. It is welcome that things have moved on, but the next step is critical.

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