David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for taking this motion. I have tabled four Adjournment matters on this issue since being elected to Seanad Éireann, because it is important not just for the people of Waterford but those of the entire south east.

A palliative care unit needs to be built on the grounds of University Hospital Waterford, formerly Waterford Regional Hospital. The last time I tabled a motion on this issue, the response from the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, was: "Arrangements are being put in place to fund this project in order that all capital costs are covered, including construction cost, design fees, equipping, etc." In reality, the local hospice movement is being asked to fund-raise to make this a reality. Despite all of the announcements that have repeatedly been made by the Department and two Ministers for Health, we are no closer to building the unit. Each time I raised this matter previously, I praised the former Minister for Health for allocating or earmarking capital funding for this project, but impatience is starting to build in the south east because this is not happening as quickly as it should. I put the Minister on alert that I would keep raising this issue every six months to get an update from him and the Department.

I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Ann Phelan, is aware that we in the south east fought a hard and long campaign for cancer and radiotherapy services to be provided on the grounds of Waterford Regional Hospital, but it did not happen. The palliative care unit was an area in which there was some Government progress, even if it fell short of what was required. The previous Government promised a full oncology unit, including beds, radiotherapy and palliative care. Although this was seen as a step down, it was a step in the right direction. I look forward to the Minister of State's response, but this matter needs to be progressed. It will benefit patients in the south east, not just those in Waterford. I appeal to the Minister for Health as well as to the Minister of State, who lives in the south east, to help progress this matter and deliver the palliative care unit for the patients who need it.