Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

There is annoyance, frustration and growing anger at the delay in the completion and opening of the 40-bed modular unit at South Tipperary General Hospital. The Minister promised that it would be opened in June 2018 but the date was pushed back to September, then December, then March and finally July. The Save Our Acute Hospitals Services Committee and Oireachtas Members met hospital management and HSE officials last Friday week. While I am satisfied that the construction of the unit will be completed later this year, we were given information that has given rise to serious concerns to the effect that the HSE is not committed to the opening of the unit when it is ready. We were advised that no funding allocation has been made for staffing despite business cases - at a total cost of €7 million - being last June. Furthermore, equipment costing €1.4 million is required and only €250,000 in funding has been allocated. We need specific answers and specific commitments from the Minister of State that funding for staffing and equipment will be made available immediately.

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