Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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14. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the remedial actions that have been taken to date pursuant to the October 2021 inspection by the Health and Safety Authority of University Hospital Galway, including the temporary emergency department, as reported in an article (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26797/22]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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This is a very important matter for Galway. I know the Minister is aware of it. I am raising the issue of the accident and emergency department and the recent report by the Health and Safety Authority and its background. Where is the new accident and emergency department?

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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If we cannot conclude, if we run out of time, I will make sure the Deputy gets a detailed note.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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If the Minister wants to save time, I have the response.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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The privileges of the Chair.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I have been advised by the HSE that the HSA conducted the unannounced inspection in University Hospital Galway, UHG, on 21 October of last year.

I understand the issues that were raised during the inspection were immediately addressed by the hospitals and that any obstructions, for example blocking the fire exits, were actioned to ensure continuous on-site safety. Following subsequent engagement between the hospital and the HSA, the hospital has implemented corrective measures, including in relation to ventilation, fire escape routes and safety signage. The hospital provided a comprehensive written response to the HSE in December of last year to address the issues that were raised. I have been informed that there was a follow up inspection of 7 April and that a formal report from the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, has yet to be received.

There are a number of ongoing and planned capital projects for University Hospital Galway, UHG. The Deputy and I have discussed these before. The development of the new emergency Department will address the current challenges in terms of capacity, infrastructure and patient experience times. The project is in its early stages and a strategic assessment report is being developed by the HSE. It is expected to be received by my Department in the coming months.

I can say to the Deputy that I was in UHG recently. There, I discussed with the senior management and the senior clinicians just how important this new four-story block, with which the Deputy is very familiar, will be. Because it will cost well in excess of €100 million, it must go through a laborious public spending code. However, following my meeting in UHG, I have raised this particular capital project directly with the chief executive of the HSE. I have asked that it will be prioritised by the HSE. While we have to adhere to the legal requirements of the public spending code, I have asked that there will be no more delays. I was told in the hospital that they have been talking about this build for about eight or nine years.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Connolly may give a very brief response.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I am stickler for time.

I could not accept that in 2015 it was unfit for purpose and yet here we are in 2022. I will follow it up elsewhere again.