Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is always good to have the opportunity to clarify matters where there concerns have been raised in a community. That is one of our responsibilities as public representatives. I visited Midleton Hospital some time ago with my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton. It is a wonderful facility which is exceptionally well regarded by the local community. Its respite service is of equal importance to the families who depend on it as those who are staying there long term. The Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, keeps pressure on me to update him regularly on the future development of the project. A project advisory team and a technical advisory team have been appointed for the hospital's redevelopment at the site at the back of the hospital.

Indeed, my good friend and colleague, who I am sure was a former colleague of Deputy Buckley, Councillor Noel Collins, whom I sat alongside for many a happy day in County Hall in Cork when I was on the local authority, writes to me fairly often about Midleton community hospital as well to ensure that its future is secure. I am glad to be able to confirm all of that for the good people of Midleton who Deputy Buckley, the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, and Councillor Collins have the honour to represent.

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