Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 15 together. My note says that I am taking this question together with No. 15 tabled by Deputy Niamh Smyth. I thank Deputy Carthy for the question on Monaghan Hospital. As Minister for Health, I am fully committed to the development of the regional hospitals, including Monaghan. As the Deputy will be aware, there has been a welcome and significant increase in investment in recent years into Monaghan Hospital. In fact, between 2020 and 2023 the funding investment into Monaghan Hospital has gone up by almost 50%, which is great to see. Critically, the staffing has gone up by 60%. As Deputy Carthy will be aware, the minor injury unit is now open seven days a week since July. There was an expansion in 2021. We had a 23-bed intermediate care ward added. The Deputy will also be aware of the endoscopy facilities, the echocardiogram, ECHO, and exercise stress test, EST, room for cardiac patients. The third ultrasound room was delivered in 2022. New step-down wards with eight beds are to be delivered this year. There has been a very significant increase in funding.

It is worth saying that the reason this is happening is because we know that our healthcare professionals in Monaghan are doing such a good job. We know that with this investment, they are providing the kind of care in the community that is required.

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