Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We need to get the second catheterisation laboratory up and running but that cannot be done without beds. The Minister and I have spoken about this a number of times and about the fact that there is no capital support available for beds but there is the possibility of bringing in a modular day ward which is being done in other hospitals around the country. That would immediately provide the bed capacity to allow us to activate the second laboratory. What proposals does the Minister have in that regard?

Finally, planning permission has been secured for three separate building projects at University Hospital Waterford. The planning applications were for a laboratory extension, the development of St. Otteran's and an oncology support building. At this stage, the permission for these projects has been in place for more than a year but there has been no action on them. I ask the Minister to address that.

As the Minister knows, University Hospital Waterford was the best-performing hospital in the country in terms of trolley counts. It cannot be the best-performing hospital any more in light of the current situation but I ask the Minister to outline the supports being provided to the hospital.

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