Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Minister of State's point that everything must meet the requirements under procurement. My understanding is that St. John's Hospital is at an advanced stage and everything that needs to be submitted has been submitted. It has submitted all the required documents that have been requested to date.

University Hospital Limerick is constantly in the news. We need the two hospitals to be developed together because it is the only way forward. It is not just about serving the people of Limerick but also the people of the mid-west generally. There is a great deal of capacity. I read a tweet about figures by a senior member of staff at the hospital. It referred to some of the other, larger hospitals which have fewer members of staff and so on, but the number of people who present at University Hospital Limerick is 21% higher than the number who present at some of the larger hospitals in Dublin and the surrounding area. It is a high number. If we can get the small injuries clinic up and running properly, there can be more day procedures and it will take the pressure off University Hospital Limerick.