Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The new 97-bed block will be delivered as soon as is possible. I wish I could give the Deputy a date of a week or a month hence. I cannot do that at present, but it will be delivered as soon as possible.

It would still be needed even if there had not been a fire given the increasing population in Wexford and the increasing need for healthcare to be available. I am told it is at detailed design phase and the business case is being prepared at moment under the revised public service code which is quicker than it was in the past. It has not yet been determined whether it will be done in the context of the overall works that are ongoing at the moment to re-open the emergency department or as a separate project, but the Government wants to do it and we are committed to making it happen. It does not necessarily hang on the Attorney General's advice, which relates to planning permission. It is much needed infrastructure. I want to see it go ahead, as does the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. I do not want to put a date on it or give the Deputy a month I cannot necessarily stand over. Building a new block has to go through certain procedures, but we will go through those procedures and get it up and running or at least under construction as soon as we can.

The Deputy may be also interested in the MRI scanner project which I had a chance to visit when I visited the hospital a few months ago. I am told that work on the design, construction and equipping of the new MRI on the site close to the main hospital concourse will commence later this year. It is approximately a 12 month programme. We are keen to get the hospital back functioning as soon as possible. It is currently working at approximately 60% capacity. That is having a huge impact on Waterford and Kilkenny so we must ensure it is up and running fully as soon as possible.

See this speech in context