Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State's response was alarming, particularly where he stated that his "selection of health capital projects and programmes will be delayed to contribute to funding the increased capital cost of the new children's hospital project". He indicated that it will be delivered within the budget and timescale, but that other commitments were made. The Minister went to Limerick and gave a commitment on the timescale for the interim 60-bed unit and the 96-bed unit. I reiterate that Limerick has the highest numbers on trolleys in the country week on week. The units are urgently needed. If the children's hospital is to be delivered within the timescale, the other commitments made by the Minister must also be delivered in that way.

I will pursue the matter to ensure we in Limerick receive the beds we need because people, often elderly people, are in pain on trolleys for hours and hours with no beds for them to use. It is entirely unacceptable. There is an expectation that the beds will be delivered on time, and that must happen.

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