Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Shanahan. There has been a significant level of investment in University Hospital Waterford. I know Deputy Shanahan does not want me to broaden the issue too much but I want to say for the people of Waterford, who no doubt will follow the debate, that we have seen staffing at the hospital grow by 866 people from the end of 2019 to today. There are 49 more consultant doctors, 114 more NCHDs, 378 more nurses and midwives, as well as 118 more health and social care professionals. In 2019 the hospital in Waterford had a budget of €201 million. In 2024 the budget is more than €309 million. The budget has grown during the lifetime of the Government by €108 million. I accept there is work to do, I really do, but I do want people to know there has been more than €100 million of additional investment, significant extra staff increases and the expansion of our cardiac services. In light of Deputy Shanahan raising the issue today I will seek an update from HSE chief executive and come back to him directly on it.

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