Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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10. To ask the Minister for Health when the consultation process on the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise involving local clinicians and the community will begin; and the expected timeframe for completion [16238/18]

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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When will the consultation process for Portlaoise hospital begin? At our meeting in December the Minister told the other two Laois Deputies and me that he would begin this process early in the new year and that he would discuss the matter with clinicians and representatives from the local community.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Stanley for asking this very important question. I will commence a consultation process, but I am going to get it right unlike the so-called consultation processes of the past that the people of the midlands and Portlaoise clearly felt, with some justifiable reason, have been inadequate in not listening or engaging with all of the appropriate stakeholders, including concerns I heard directly from clinicians. I was very grateful to have the opportunity to meet with Deputies Stanley and Fleming, and the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, as the three Laois Oireachtas representatives. I would be happy to do that again in the coming weeks.

I am committed to securing and further developing the role of the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise as a constituent hospital within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. Since 2014, the focus has been on supporting the hospital to develop and enhance management capability, implementing the changes required to address clinical service deficiencies and incorporating the hospital into the governance structures within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.

Significant work has been undertaken at the hospital. The Deputy is aware that we have increased funding by 35% since 2012 and staffing levels have risen by 29% from the 2014 base. Governance and management arrangements in Portlaoise hospital have been strengthened, additional clinical staff has been appointed and staff training, hospital culture and communications have improved.

HSE consultations took place with the clinical staff and management in Portlaoise hospital, general practitioners, the Irish Prison Service, Tallaght Hospital paediatric surgery and emergency department services and the Master of the Coombe Women and Infants' University Hospital. As agreed at a meeting with Laois Oireachtas Members, I am currently giving consideration to a process for wider consultation. I am not satisfied that the consultation in the past was comprehensive or inclusive. I have heard very clearly in this regard from GPs, from clinicians in the hospital and from the Laois Oireachtas Members on a cross-party basis. I assure the Deputy that no decision has been made by me or the Government around the draft plan for Portlaoise hospital. Before any such decision is made there needs to be a new consultation process that is inclusive, exhaustive, engaging and meaningful. I am trying to work out the absolutely best way of making that work for the people of Portlaoise. I will keep Deputy Stanley updated.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the fact the pause button has been pressed and that we have moved away from the Dr. Susan O'Reilly plan. Consultations, however, can go on and on. I agree with the Minister that the consultation process needs to be extensive and meaningful, but it was announced five months ago. In answer to a parliamentary question that I asked in January the Minister said the process would begin early this year. The can has been kicked down the road a lot and it has been kicked from one election to the next. It is important to move on with it. In reply to a Dáil question on 27 March the Minister said "I have asked my Department to conduct a consultation process in this regard involving local clinicians and the community and this is currently under consideration." We now need to move on with the consideration part and progress on to the action part. This is important. When the Taoiseach was in Mountmellick last week he said he did not envisage any closure, downgrade or significant reduction in services at the hospital because it just would not work as Tullamore and Tallaght hospitals would not be in a position to deal with the extra patients from Portlaoise hospital. This is what the Taoiseach said last Friday in Mountmellick.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach is correct. If I believed that the draft plan and the consultation had been appropriate then we surely would not be in this place. I do not believe the consultation was adequate and I do not believe there was appropriate engagement. The reason I do not believe it is because the people of Portlaoise are telling me this very clearly. Deputy Stanley, Deputy Sean Fleming and the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, are also telling me this. The Laois Oireachtas Members, on a cross-party basis, have told me this very clearly.

I understand Deputy Stanley's desire, and that of the people in the midlands, for a decision to be made on the consultation as quickly as possible. I want to deliver it as quickly as possible, but not at the expense of getting it wrong. I want to make sure. One can have consultation and one can have real, meaningful consultation and engagement. I am trying to work out a mechanism whereby the people of the midlands, the people of Portlaoise, the clinicians, the stakeholders and the public can have their say and their views heard and can tease out and stress-test all the important issues. The issue of capacity, as referred to by the Taoiseach, is also very important. We are aware that the other hospitals, as mentioned by Deputy Stanley, do not have adequate capacity currently.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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I am hearing the right vibes from the Minister but now we want to see the action to back it up. On his previous visits to Portlaoise hospital the Minister heard loud and clear from the clinicians and GPs that we need a plan for the future. I acknowledge that the Minister came down to meet these people. Certainty is needed for recruitment. Will the Minister confirm the announcement made by the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, to the local Fine Gael councillors on 25 March? Councillors said they had been informed by the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, that five new consultant posts would be filled. Perhaps the Minister will confirm that this is going to happen. This was announced to the councillors on the morning of 25 March. They said they had confirmation from the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, that the five consultant posts would be advertised and that there is a lot of interest in those posts.

I welcome that if it happening, but I would like the Minister to confirm it for me. I am hearing the right message from the Minister but we want to see action. We want to see a timeline for that consultation to begin and be completed. We also want a timeline for a plan for the future to further build the services in Portlaoise.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am sure the Deputy would never doubt the bona fides of the my Cabinet colleague and the Deputy's constituency colleague, Deputy Flanagan, when he tells the people of Laois something.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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I want to hear the Minister confirm it. He holds the purse strings.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am quite sure.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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I am not going to allow any argy-bargy to waste time.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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It is very important.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I know. The Deputy asked about the Taoiseach's comments and now he is asking about the comments of the Minister, Deputy Flanagan. I assure him that if the Minister gave that commitment it is obviously true. I will follow up with the HSE and provide the Deputy with the information he requires.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister is confirming it.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I hear the Deputy and I assure him that trying to get this right is taking up a considerable amount of my time. It is appropriate that it should, it is an important, sensitive issue. We will get it right and put a comprehensive consultation process in place and I will be happy to meet the three Laois Deputies on this shortly.