Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter regarding the services at Naas General Hospital. I fully accept the importance of growing healthcare services for the people of Kildare and west Wicklow. The commitment of the Government to the future of this hospital is clear. Funding for Naas hospital as part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group has continued to increase year on year. As I have already outlined, a new 12-bed isolation ward is due to open in Naas General Hospital this year and commissioning and equipping is under way. This will be a significant addition to the hospital. In addition, as mentioned, several capital projects are ongoing, including the refurbishment of the acute medical assessment unit, and the progression of the acute mental health unit and the endoscopy-oncology project.

This Government is committed to making real and sustainable improvements in our health services and to ensuring that these align with the Government's overall vision for healthcare in Ireland, as set out in the programme for Government. This is for universal healthcare within a public health service that provides the people with access to high-quality, affordable care when and where they need it.

See this speech in context