Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The figures very much back up what the Deputy and people in the hospital know, which is that emergency department attendance today, by comparison with 2019, is up by approximately 8.5%. On top of that, admissions from the emergency department are up 20% on 2019. There has, therefore, been a huge increase in the number of patients coming in and the complexity of their care needs. A 20% increase since 2019 is huge. It underscores the Deputy's point, which is that new capacity is required.

While the main project is going through the process associated with the public spending code, enabling works are taking place, including the relocation of the existing administration accommodation. Refurbishment is proposed for Rockfield House, St. Anne's and Beaumont house. The design stage for the enabling project is progressing along with the planning application, and various control works are being undertaken on the site.

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