Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The people of Cork South West elected me to this House. I have spoken to them on this issue and they have told me they are astounded by the carry-on in respect of this children's hospital. I have a number of questions. First, €50 million will be cut from the health budget as a direct result of the overrun on the children's hospital. Does the Minster have an exact breakdown as to the areas in the health sector that will suffer these budget cuts? Second, will the overspend on the children's hospital have a negative effect on the recent announcements of funding for the rehabilitation unit in Bantry General Hospital in west Cork? Will it also affect the funding for the newly announced endoscopy unit? If these units will not be affected, what is the likely start date for these?

In respect of rural development projects in west Cork, many groups are coming to see me asking if their projects are gone by the wayside. Will those of us in west Cork be negatively affected by the budget overrun on the children's hospital and the rural development project? An announcement was made recently that funding would be made available to complete the Bandon bypass in west Cork.

Will this project now be negatively affected by the overspend on the children's hospital?

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