Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am relying on my memory but my understanding is that the 60-bed block is due to be completed and hopefully operational by the end of the year; November is in my mind in that regard. There is funding agreed with the HSE to ensure that that opens. I will follow up on the 96-bed block and ask that the HSE responds to the Deputy directly but I would be eager that it does progress at least to the next stage. I have accepted that the mid-west has a shortage of beds. That is the reason we had sanctioned the 60-bed block. I welcome the fact that we have gone ahead, as the Deputy rightly said, and acknowledged that with the 14-bed and the 24-bed blocks. We want them opened as quickly as possible. I will check if the recruitment campaign has started and I will revert to the Deputy in writing.

To answer Deputy Quinlivan's colleague, Deputy Gould, I will write to him both in regard to the capacity for Cork, particularly on the north side of Cork, and the delivery of a new hospital for Cork to which we are absolutely committed, and also in regard to the issues he raises about additional home help, which I believe will require this House passing a statutory home care Bill, hopefully in the not too distant future.

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