Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh Gníomhach. I thank the Minister of State for coming in to respond to my Commencement matter which seeks a date by which a team will be appointed for the design of a critical care wing for the Rotunda Hospital on Parnell Square. The Rotunda is the world's oldest maternity hospital. It dates from 1745. More than 8,000 babies a year are delivered there. One in six of all babies in the country is born there. One in four of all premature neonatal babies is born there. There has been a 10% increase in demand at the hospital over the past year. It is a hugely important health institution for women, children and families of the north inner city but also for the nation.

The Rotunda receives approximately 500 gynaecological referrals each month and there is a waiting list of more than 3,000 at the moment. It is a health resource of huge importance to women and children. As I said some of the buildings date from the 1700s. The hospital is challenged to deliver 21st century healthcare in 18th century built infrastructure. HIQA has done inspections going back years that indicate the building is out of date, old, cramped and not fit for purpose. In fact, in places it is potentially dangerous.

This issue has been well recognised for a number of years, dating back to 2018. There have been reports done.The most cost-effective, cost-beneficial and expedient solution is to develop a critical care wing on the west side of Parnell Square. The requirement went out to tender earlier this year. I understand that that tender process has been successfully completed. I am hoping that the Minister of State can advise the House today on when the design team will be announced.

I will also acknowledge, and we all know, that our State has a very poor history in women's health. That is something the current Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, the Minister of State and everybody in government are making great strides in changing. The State's approach to women's health is changing with a commitment that has never been previously made to women's health, including the establishment of the women's health task force, the commitment to establish menopause clinics, free contraception and a fully funded maternity strategy. I commend the Minister of State and the Government on those real changes that are being made in the State's approach to women's health, but we need to do more. We need to continue the great changes that have already been made. I hope the Minister of State can advise us as to when a design team will be announced for the design of a new critical care wing for the Rotunda Hospital.