Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat. While I am pleased with the comprehensive reply, I would like this service to open tomorrow, as I am sure would the person who contacted me, who has a loved one who needs the service. Nonetheless, I am realistic and realise it may not happen tomorrow.

I note the Minister of State's reply referred to a timeline of this summer which I welcome, although cautiously, as I would like to see that timeline honoured. I would like the Minister of State to communicate to the Minister for Health, who he is representing here today, that I would like further clarification on this timeline. I know a lot of work is taking place in the background and I note the Minister of State said it was expected that this service would be cost-neutral. What I would say in response is that, given the specialised type of care that would be required to support this unit, it would be very difficult to make it cost-neutral by simply having this service as a replacement for other services that were being provided at St. Joseph's Hospital. The other services that were being provided perhaps did not require the level of interaction and specialised care that this unit requires, and, therefore, it was probably being ambitious to expect it to be cost-neutral. I would like further clarification through the Minister of State on this issue because I will be revisiting it on the Adjournment, probably in six to eight weeks.