I appreciate the Deputy raising the issue. As he will be aware, the Government provided funding under the capital plan for the second cath laboratory, which is complete. It has been handed over to the hospital to be equipped and commissioned and for staff familiarisation and so on. The hospital is examining the options for creating the space for the new beds to accompany the second cath lab at the hospital. An interim solution in the form of beds on the day ward was identified but it is not feasible at present because of the fire in Wexford General Hospital, which resulted in the day ward in University Hospital Waterford being occupied with inpatients. The Minister is in discussions with the HSE with a view to getting this resolved.

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