Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When we discuss patient numbers and caseload on the particular issue the Senator is raising, we are referring only to patients who could benefit from a PPCI, not patients or cardiology patients in general. General cardiology is already provided on call, 24-7 in Waterford. Only a few months ago - this year or last - there were three 24-7 PPCI hospitals in Dublin serving the greater Dublin area.That was reduced from three to two because the patient load was not sufficient to sustain three services in the greater Dublin area. That decision was made by the national programme. That is how these decisions should be made. It is a long time since Ministers or politicians decided where special centres or cancer centres should be. We are not going back to that. We are certainly not going back to it while I am Minister. Decisions will be made based on what is best in terms of patient safety and clinical outcomes. Consideration is being given to extending the existing service in Waterford to 8 p.m. Such a decision will have to be made in the context of the group's strategic plan. We will have to be sure it is safe, sustainable and staffable. Obviously, that is much more important than any financial issue. We need to know the caseload is sufficient to ensure any new service or extension of the service is sustainable and staffable.