Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. At present, 58,000 people in the mid-west region are on waiting lists. UHL does not have the capacity or capability to complete these assessments. The option to upgrade and increase the services provided at Nenagh and Ennis hospitals is an obvious way to ease this pressure. I wish to acknowledge, in this House, and compliment the management and staff at Nenagh General Hospital for its workload, throughput and efficiency. Further investment, expansion and development of services on this site is a realistic solution and should be looked at. It is also obvious that the mid-west region needs an elective hospital to serve the needs of its huge population. Will the Tánaiste please inform me whether the Government or Department has made a decision on the need for such a new hospital in the mid-west region? Has a location or site been identified? What is the timescale for the delivery of such a project?

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