Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá mé an-sásta go bhfuil an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Rabbitte, anseo chun an cheist seo a phlé mar tuigfidh sé cé chomh tábhachtach is atá an t-ospidéal seo, ní hamháin i gcomhair mhuintir an Chlocháin ach i gcomhair mhuintir Chonamara go ginearálta. Tá an Teachta Ó Cuív tar éis go leor de na deacrachtaí a lua ach is minic go mbíonn daoine ar thralaithe san ospidéal i nGaillimh faoi láthair. Ní dhéanann sé ciall, beag ná mór, nach féidir an t-ionad seo a úsáid. Mar a luadh cheana féin, breathnaíonn sé ar nós go bhfuil fadhb earcaíochta ann agus go gcaithfimid breathnú air sin ar bhonn idirnáisiúnta, go háirithe ó thaobh fisiteiripeoir a earcú. Chomh maith leis sin, caithfear brú ar aghaidh leis an ionad nua.

I am very pleased it is the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who is taking this Topical Issue matter because I know she understands the importance of this facility in Clifden, not only for the town but for the wider Connemara community. It is very clear that all the Oireachtas Members in Galway West are speaking with one voice on this matter. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Deputy Connolly, is bringing it forward with Deputy Ó Cuív and me. Everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet on this.

There is an issue with recruitment, particularly in the area of physiotherapy. This needs to be looked at on a wider international scale. This facility is of great importance. If we are looking internationally for other places, we also need to do that in this case. As Deputy Ó Cuív stated, we also need to push the new facility forward. While people are on trolleys in Galway University Hospital, it makes no sense that recruitment and the new facility are not being prioritised.

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