Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I will raise the opening times of the injury clinics with the Minister for Health and ask him to revert.

HIQA is now carrying out a review into urgent and emergency care capacity in the mid-west region to determine whether a second ED is required. Terms of reference will be finalised shortly. The Minister rightly wants to wait for the Mr. Justice Frank Clarke report to conclude, which is expected to happen this month. Smaller emergency departments in the region, as the Deputy knows, closed 15 years ago. This was based on clear clinical advice at the time but we do know there are significant pressures in the mid-west region. The actions the Minister has taken are correct. I will get a timeline for the Deputy.

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