Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his positive response. The provision of acute beds for mental health support in Kildare-west Wicklow currently is one of the lowest levels per head of population in the country. We are starting from behind and playing catch-up. Procuring a new design team and getting on the 2019 corporate plan is crucial for a new and much needed expanded Lakeview.

The endoscopic unit, as the Minister of State has outlined, is at a different stage. It is much more advanced. It has its detailed design and its planning permission is secured. We need to progress to tender for construction as soon as possible. That is both for Kildare patients who are currently on waiting lists for scopes, or who are currently travelling outside of the county to have those scopes done, but also for the wonderful staff in Naas General Hospital whose morale would be greatly boosted and who deserve to work in improved, state-of-the-art facilities. It is crucial. Kildare's population has grown exponentially and it must be recognised by Government. Project Ireland sets that out and it is up to myself and Deputy Durkan, working with the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, and his colleagues in the Department of Health, to deliver for Kildare as soon as possible.

See this speech in context