Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I will be brief. I seek an update on the 20 bed palliative care unit proposed for Waterford Regional Hospital. When will we see work start on this much needed unit?

In the last capital programme St. Brigid's unit in St. Patrick's Hospital was to be replaced by a 50 bed unit. However, it was removed from the capital programme in the interests of political expediency to allow a similar unit to be built in Kenmare. This was done at the instigation of Deputy Healy Rae in order to gain his support at the time. When will we return to dealing with issues properly and without political interference? When will work on the 50 bed unit in St. Patrick's Hospital included in the last capital programme commence?