Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise an issue in Mallow General Hospital, which is in my home town. Over the past six months, the day ward has been closed on several occasions to facilitate overcrowding in Cork University Hospital, the Mercy Hospital and Kerry University Hospital. It is entirely unacceptable that day procedures would be halted for several days to facilitate overcrowding. People in genuine need of these day ward procedures have often been told on the morning of their procedure that it has been cancelled. This issue has been highlighted to me by members of staff in Mallow General Hospital and by patients. I am not placing blame here, and I commend the Government and previous Governments on the significant investment in Mallow General Hospital. We are very proud of our hospital. Will the Taoiseach provide a specific date for the opening of the 24 inpatient beds? I want an actual date, and no more "quarter 1" or "quarter 2" predictions. On 3 December 2025, I was told that it would be the end of quarter 1 2026. We are very much near the end of that now. These beds will help with overcrowding in our larger hospitals. They will keep day ward services constant and continue to upgrade the services in Mallow General Hospital.

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