Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With an Acting Chairman and Minister of State from County Roscommon, I am expecting a very good hearing. I join in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, who now represents the people of Sligo-Leitrim but whose family origins are in Roscommon.

There is significant pride in Cavan, Monaghan and all that region in Cavan General Hospital. It has been part of the fabric of that area for the past 30 years. We must acknowledge the Herculean efforts of the staff during the pandemic and throughout the year. The hospital is tremendously well staffed. The case for a new accident and emergency department in the hospital has been highlighted by me and by other public representatives over a number of years. It is a case acknowledged in the 2040 plan and while that is encouraging, action is needed. Cavan and Monaghan are fast-growing counties and on occasion, the hospital also provides services to people from counties Meath, Louth and Longford. Outpatient attendance at the accident and emergency department is increasing and can be in excess of 100 per day.In circumstances where there are ten beds available and more than 100 patients per day, the Minister of State will appreciate that ten turnarounds will be required. Attendance is very high and in recent months we have had two very big outbreaks of Covid in Cavan. Part of the difficulty is down to the overcrowding in the hospital and the lack of facilities there. There is no point in saying otherwise.

There has been only piecemeal investment, effectively, since the hospital was built. It needs a major investment now. The old accident and emergency department is not fit for purpose. There is a need for a second resuscitation room and for administrative facilities. There is a need for a complete upgrade, improved capacity for privacy, better spacing and more facilities. The accident and emergency department is cramped and this has an impact on privacy and in the context of the pandemic. There is an absolute need for something to be done about this immediately.

There are suggestions that the designs for a new accident and emergency department, endoscopy unit and isolation area are being examined. Is there a real commitment to the absolute need for an improved accident and emergency department? Where does the project stand at present What is the timeframe for it being put in train? This needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency and the pandemic has emphasised that. The number of patients presenting each day - approximately 110 most days - is another example of the need for urgent action. Just ten beds in an old-style, cramped area are not enough. Cavan General Hospital is a teaching hospital. It is a very important regional hospital. We need to know the commitment and timeframe, how it will all evolve and when the new unit will be built. It is badly needed.