Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister as always. I am concerned that the big increase in the city centre population is not being factored into much of our planning for the future of the city centre. In addition, those who work in the city centre need access to hospitals.As a person who lived in the city centre for a long time, I am aware that hospitals such as the Adelaide had a significant place in the local community. Such hospitals were really valued as institutions. Hospital beds have moved out of the city centre at such a rate, even though the population is moving back in. Reference was made to energy costs. The cost of replacing 193 beds is substantially in excess of what we will get for selling the 193 bed places. I am concerned that sometimes there is too much emphasis on the age of buildings in terms of Irish hospitals when the waiting lists reflect people wanting more staff, which I know the Minister has addressed and on which he has reported to this House. Is there an edifice complex? Is the HSE determined to rebuild the entire hospital stock when people would like more doctors and nurses? Is the capital budget put under full appraisal? Reference was made by the Minister to energy costs but the wage costs, the medical costs and the cost of people being on waiting lists are greater.

I do not know how far the sale has progressed but perhaps in the light of what the Minister said this morning and the high cost of sending people abroad, if they avail of their entitlements under the European laws to which he referred, we might adopt a revised attitude to dispensing with old hospitals, in particular in areas where so many of them have been shut down and turned into office blocks and given over to other uses. One could ask whether some of those decisions were short-sighted.

When the Minister was responsible for transport, I discussed with him the re-opening of the railway line between Connolly Station and Heuston Station. Instead of Dr. Steevens' hospital becoming the headquarters of the HSE, and an office block, it would have been an ideal location for a hospital because people from all parts of the country, from Dundalk to Tralee, could go to the station across the way. I would welcome more planning in terms of those issues. I am sure I will discuss this matter with the Minister from time to time but there are factors that must be taken into account. I thank the Minister, as always, for his reply and I wish him well in his post and in his endeavours. Perhaps this particular sale does not support the goals which we jointly share. Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I thank the Minister.