Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming before us. I remind people there is very positive news and the last Government allocated €7.85 million for the design and build of a stand-alone €10 million medical rehabilitation unit on the grounds of Roscommon hospital. The unit will operate as a satellite under the NRH. Almost a quarter of the patients treated at the NRH normally reside in the west region but there are no dedicated rehabilitation units there. Effectively, the design contract will go out to tender very shortly. This will certainly help in the coming few months and years in addressing the shortage of beds, notwithstanding the fact that there is a shortage. I welcome that four beds have been reopened and we must do more. This will be a major addition for Roscommon hospital and I invite anybody in the Seanad and Dáil to come to Roscommon and see all the good work that is ongoing. It is another allocation of €20 million from the last Government, and it is very good news.