Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I express my gratitude to the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this crucial topic for discussion. It certainly holds significant importance for the people of Mayo. There is an urgent need to extend the emergency department and advanced medical assessment unit, MAU, at Mayo University Hospital, MUH. I emphasise the increasing need for action to support the capital investment programme for healthcare services at MUH. The people I represent deserve improved healthcare services that meet their needs in a timely and efficient manner. The current emergency department at the hospital is running at full capacity and the rising number of patients seeking care is straining its resources. This has resulted in extended wait times, overcrowding and a decline in the quality of service.

Within the HSE's capital plan, the executive has outlined provisions to facilitate the expansion of the existing emergency department. This includes a ground-floor extension aimed at introducing seven essential new assessment and treatment spaces. In addition, there are plans for a first-floor MAU. This will go a long way by providing ten additional assessment spaces dedicated to unscheduled care and auxiliary services. At present, we are informed the HSE design team is advancing through the stage 2b design report. Despite these plans, the timeline is not aligned to the urgency of our situation. The Taoiseach visited the hospital in June. There was a commitment to submit the extension plans to the planning authority by September, yet we are in mid-November and these vital plans have not materialised. This is unacceptable. I appreciate the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is taking this on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, but the people of Mayo certainly deserve better. I strongly appeal to the Minister for Health to take immediate and decisive action to ensure we have a prompt submission on these critical plans to the planning authority.

The proposed emergency department goes beyond physical space; it represents a lifeline for people who need access to critical healthcare. The seven new assessment and treatment spaces and the advanced MAU will be crucial in addressing the capacity challenges the emergency department currently faces. While I accept the approval process must adhere to the public spending code, it is really important that we look at expediting the submission. It is really important. The Government must look not just at MUH, but all hospitals that are facing similar challenges. We must prioritise projects as a matter of utmost importance and hold the HSE to account in relation to them. The health and well-being of the people of County Mayo must not be jeopardised any longer and this situation cannot be overstated. Will the Minister of State provide a more specific timeline for the submission of essential plans to the planning authority?

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