Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I refer to page 58 of the programme for Government on capacity in hospitals, particularly with regard to Naas General Hospital, where 15 patients were on trolleys this morning. In 2014, planning permission was granted and we all know it takes time to get planning permission. Not alone has no sod been lifted to prepare for the extension but the HSE had to go back for planning permission this year. Thankfully, it was granted but it is a disgrace five years later, when the hospital is incredibly busy dealing with a large population, that people are on trolleys, the assessment unit has been closed because of problems with capacity and there is no movement on the new mental health facility. This is completely wrong. The new mental health facility and the extension, which will contain an oncology department as well as acute services and an endoscopy department, are in the capital plan for 2019. When will we see progress on them?

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