Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Work has been ongoing in recent months regarding the preparation of an enabling works contract for Portiuncula hospital. It is important to acknowledge that progress is being made. Stage one of the tender competition progressed last Friday with the publication of the procurement notice on eTenders. This is important because it will allow for expressions of interest for the enabling works contract. As the House will be aware, funding was secured under the HSE's capital plan in September of this year. I have been advocating on this issue for quite a number of years. The project will ultimately involve a replacement 50-bed unit, fire safety works and a lift replacement programme. I emphasise the need to ensure that we do not see any further delays in the project. We want to see the enabling works contract put in place and ultimately, the project being delivered. I am aware that the Minister for Health will be visiting Portiuncula hospital shortly. It is important that he does so because he will be able to see for himself the conditions that patients and staff at the hospital have to endure, which are unacceptable in what is supposed to be a modern hospital setting. While progress has been made in terms of the enabling works contract being advertised on eTenders, it is important that we do not see any further delays in the delivery of that contract, the necessary works and, ultimately, the delivery of the project as a whole involving a 50-bed replacement unit. This project is so important to the people of Ballinasloe and the wider geographic area served by the hospital including Roscommon, Galway and further afield.