David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A number of times in this Dáil I have raised the issue of the need for a second catheterisation laboratory, cath lab, at University Hospital Waterford. The Taoiseach will be aware that in October of last year the Minister for Health signed off on that proposal. It was also in the health Estimates, so that the funding, we understand, is there. It is caught up with all the other capital projects that need to be announced. The Minister for Health has not told us yet when the announcement will be made on the capital projects.

Yesterday we had a meeting of Oireachtas Members in Waterford and representatives of the South/South West hospital group, including consultants in the hospital and hospital management. They have told us they cannot plan for the development of a second cath lab until that capital plan is announced. However, a design team can be appointed. Will the Taoiseach put pressure on the Minister for Health to ensure the design team is appointed as quickly as possible? We have been waiting and waiting, with announcement after announcement on the matter but there is still no delivery. Appoint the design team and let those charged with rolling it out start the work as soon as possible.

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