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

My understanding is that, at UHL itself, the new 96-bed block is under construction and another one has been approved. I do not know what the situation is regarding an additional bed block for St. John's but I will certainly make inquiries with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and ask that he come back to Deputy O'Dea directly. I can certainly see the advantages of additional beds in St. John's. Not having an emergency department has advantages, and certainly more surgical cases could be done and more medical patients could be looked after without what happens so often in a big busy hospital, with the emergency department essentially taking over.

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