Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I pay tribute to everyone who has helped to raise funds for the hospice and I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Sunflower days are the hospice's main fundraising initiatives and the generosity of local people is incredible. Sunflower days raised a staggering €33,000 over two days in June this year. I understand that special plans are being put in place for the 30th year of the sunflower days campaign in 2020. Great work is being done in developing the hospice facilities in this region and only last month, I was delighted to attend the official opening of a new 14-bed hospice in Castlebar under the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. I am privileged to have worked on the €6 million hospice plan for Roscommon, which is at an advanced stage of planning and is set to open in 2021. I acknowledge the great work that is being done by the North West Hospice, the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and many hospices around the country. These people are willing to work together and I know the Government will work with all these groups to ensure we get the best possible palliative care for our citizens.