Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Quinlivan for raising the issue. Let me try to prove him wrong. I am determined to work with him and others in the Limerick region to make progress once and for all on University Hospital Limerick. I accept that more needs to be done by way of investment but it is very concerning that, despite the investment the hospital has received relative to other hospitals in recent times, it has failed to improve its performance. I take what the Deputy says about statistics. He is right that there are people behind them. Let me give the Deputy just one statistic: there has been a 42% increase in staff in the hospital. The increases are not small. In fact, they are very much larger than in other hospitals, as they should be because we are playing catch-up in the mid-west, but the lack of operational grip at the hospital is concerning.

The Minister and the Deputy probably met as he was in Limerick recently. I understand there is a new regional executive officer. Sandra Broderick has been appointed and I look forward to having an early meeting with her. I will keep in touch with the Deputy.

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