Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government commits to increasing capacity in accident and emergency departments across the country. Two years and two months ago, I was given a copy of a plan to remove the emergency department in Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. There was a public campaign. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fleming and I met the Minister for Health on 15 December at which he committed to halting that plan and putting a consultation process with an external facilitator in place. All of us welcomed the fact that the plan was halted but two years later, nothing has happened. The external facilitator has not been put in place. I have consistently raised the issue through Topical Issues and parliamentary questions and I have also raised it outside the Chamber. The problem is that two years have passed and 15 December is approaching. We are almost there. The situation is creating uncertainty at the hospital. The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection is representing the Taoiseach today. Could she raise this issue with him and the Minister for Health? It is causing problems in recruitment, management and planning at the hospital and we need certainty. When will the consultation process start?

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