Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

This matter relates to the accident and emergency unit at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. The Minister for Health and Children visited the hospital last week and spoke about it leading the way and setting an example for other hospitals throughout the country. She is quoted as informing the Cabinet with regard to the latter. Unfortunately, the hospital is not receiving the rewards it deserves in some areas.

A new stroke unit was put in place at St. Luke's and a new dexa scanner has been also provided. This was achieved as a result of major fund-raising carried out by the Friends of St. Luke's Hospital, which is a voluntary group. I am aware a new outpatient department is being put in place and that there are plans to construct a new A&E unit next year. However, I contend the latter will not happen quickly enough.

The existing A&E unit at St. Luke's Hospital was formerly a laundry room and the fire exit has been blocked by the placing of a couch in front of it. The space provided is completely inadequate. I predict that somebody will be knocked down outside the unit and will find himself or herself being admitted as a patient there. This will happen as a result of deliveries being made to the A&E unit at the same time ambulances arrive there. The situation is extremely dangerous.

The Minister of State may indicate that something will be done next year or in two years' time in conjunction with the building of the outpatient department. However, this should be fast-tracked. It should not be forgotten that St. Luke's was snubbed in July 2005 when it was not allocated any funding out of €550 million provided under the capital programme. However, the decision in this regard was reversed because the Minister happened to visit the hospital on the day following its announcement and was embarrassed into rectifying the position by providing funding for the stroke unit.

The people of Carlow-Kilkenny deserve to have a proper, state-of-the-art A&E unit. God forbid that anyone should end up in the A&E unit because there could be eight or nine people — from priests performing the last rites to consultants, doctors and nurses — attending to them. At present, there is not enough space in the area to accommodate everyone.

Does the Government have plans to cater for the needs of Carlow, which does not have a general hospital? There was some discussion to the effect that a private hospital would be located there but progress in this regard appears to have stalled. If that private hospital proceeds, I hope an A&E department could be included on its campus.

The Minster of State visited Carlow town recently and witnessed the growth that has occurred there. Carlow is one of the fastest growing towns in the country and is almost as big as Kilkenny city. Perhaps Carlow and not Kilkenny should have city status because the former has two third level colleges while the latter has none. However, that is an argument for another day.

I ask the Minister of State to fast-track plans relating to the A&E unit at St. Luke's Hospital. Will he outline what Carlow, which does not have a general hospital, can expect in the way of the provision of A&E facilities there? I appreciate that an A&E unit cannot be put in place on its own and that back-up facilities are required. There is quite a good Caredoc service in the town. Such services were first put in place in Carlow and have been replicated throughout the country. I understand there is one, Shannondoc, in the Minister of State's constituency. However, something more than the Caredoc service is required in Carlow because St. Luke's Hospital is situated 30 minutes away. A facility is required to cater for emergency cases. For example, I am aware of a person who had to be driven to Kilkenny because she was choking on a rasher. Obviously, this was a terrifying experience for her and her family. The Minister of State referred to putting in place "in-between" facilities to cater for emergencies in towns such as Carlow. I look forward to his reply.