Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Last week, the elected representatives from Wexford met with the management of Wexford General Hospital. The Taoiseach will be aware there was a fire some three weeks ago. I heard Deputy Shanahan’s question to the Taoiseach this morning. It has put significant pressure on University Hospital Waterford. The difficulty is that Dr. Yousif, who is the sub-director, confirmed yesterday morning on South East Radio that it would be four to six weeks before the emergency department opened in Wexford again. I spoke with the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, who gave a commitment that we would all work collectively. What is being asked at this point is for a meeting with the Minister and, equally, that we fast-track an emergency provision for the 97-bed unit to go under construction now, as we put the restorative process and building works in place. That would provide an extra 47 beds for Wexford.

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