Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

During the week, the HIQA report on the inadequate accident and emergency services at University Hospital Limerick was published after HIQA had considered the matter for 16 months - it took 16 months to produce the report. The report told us what we had already been telling the Government for several years. It refers to a significant inpatient bed deficit in University Hospital Limerick and a growing demand for services, which continues to grow strongly. This is all presenting a risk to patient safety, and I can quote many cases where it actually compromised patient safety. The report concludes by saying that urgent action and investment are needed. I understand what the Minister said in his previous reply to my colleague. Nevertheless, I ask the Minister to assure us that there will be no avoidable delay. This report was undertaken as a result of a meeting that Deputy Cathal Crowe and I had with the previous Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. We told him there was no need for a report but, nevertheless, it has taken 16 months and the situation continues to worsen.

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