Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for being so flexible in the taking of this topic. It is third time lucky because I have sought to raise this matter for the past two weeks but it was not taken because no Minister from the Department of Health was available to reply.

I take the opportunity to congratulate the community in Longford-Westmeath and the wider area on the fantastic community spirit shown in their efforts to get an MRI scanner for the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar. Over the past two years approximately €950,000 has been raised to secure the purchase of this scanner and I acknowledge the work of John McGrath, Deirdre Murphy, Mandy Reilly and other committee members. Schools held pyjama days. There were large balls and tractor runs. Myriad activities took place to generate these funds. It demonstrates what is good about community spirit in Ireland.

On the day of the publication of the HSE service plan, it is positive that the HSE has honoured its side of the commitment, which was that if the local community fundraised to provide for the scanner, the HSE would provide the accommodation to house this much-needed equipment. This equipment is so necessary because patients attending Mullingar hospital often had to wait days or weeks to get an MRI scan in another facility. It was blocking up beds and people were left waiting unnecessarily in the hospital. As it is also a maternity hospital and a children's hospital, it is important that it has a specialised MRI scanner that will be able to deal with paediatrics and maternity care.

I acknowledge that it is in today's HSE service plan. Given that it is in the plan, I hope there will be no delay in providing this extension. Planning permission has been granted and it now needs to go out to tender. Once the tender is awarded, construction should commence without delay. I note that today's HSE plan indicates that it will be in operation in quarter 1 of 2021. I see no reason that cannot be accelerated. It is needed now, and the sooner it can be delivered, the better. I look forward to the Minister of State giving a clear timeframe for the project to move through the various stages at an accelerated pace.

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