Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the reply. When the hospital and its emergency department opened, the population in the area was much smaller. There has been significant growth in the population of the catchment area of Beaumont over the years, and that is one reason the works are very much overdue. They need to be progressed as quickly as possible as one element of the infrastructure needed at the hospital. It is important.

The conditions, mainly affecting older people, can be intolerable. Patients tell me the hospital is the last place they want to be when sick; that it involves a trial of endurance; and that even young, fit, able people put into those conditions would find it difficult. I urge the Minister to make progress on this as quickly as possible.

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