David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. When I raised this issue on 27 November 2013, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, responded by saying the enabling works for this development were being progressed, that it was expected the design team would be appointed in early 2014 and that it was anticipated construction would commence in early 2015. The Minister of State has responded today by saying the design team was appointed in the summer of 2014 and that it is expected the planning application for the unit will be lodged in March 2015, with construction work starting in the second quarter of 2016. For whatever reason, we have moved from a date of early 2015 to the second quarter of 2016 and that is where the concern lies. There seems to be slippage, for which I do not know the reason. A clear commitment was given and, apparently, the money is available. Why have we fallen a year behind in the schedule? Why is the local palliative care unit being asked to fund-raise? The people of the south east have been asked to come up with extra revenue, which, again, people see as the State abdicating its responsibility. I welcome the developments taking place. We seem to be moving in the right direction, but it is at a snail's pace. Unfortunately, we are not getting there as quickly as we need to. Even by the Government's own timelines, we are falling behind. I, therefore appeal to the Minister of State to raise the issue of timeframes with the Minister for Health, as well as the fact that we seem to be lagging behind somewhat.