Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State very much for his reply. It is heart-warming to hear his words of support for the hospital in St. Vincent's, Athy. Since his recent visit, I am sure his words are most heartfelt.

I was very happy with the start of his reply, which stated that the HSE would apply for planning permission in quarter 1 of 2022. It then deteriorated a little when he said that the Department would look at this project as it proceeded through the various planning and construction phases. What the people of Athy and the surrounding areas want to know today, especially the staff who, I can assure the Minister of State, are incredible, is that this hospital will proceed, they will have jobs and those who need this facility most will have one that has lasted 175 years in the town and will, hopefully, last into the future. If the Minister of State could confirm today that we will see a new hospital of St. Vincent's, Athy, it will be most welcome to everybody in County Kildare.