Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the publication of the HSE capital plan today for the year 2022, albeit at the end of May. I believe it is in fact earlier than the publication of last year’s plan.

There are a number of projects noted and, as we know in regard to capital projects, they are slow burners in many cases. I renew my call for a debate on the capital plan for health across the country. There are enough issues of concern and which we would like to see expedited.

In Merlin Park University Hospital, I welcome the appraisal of a plan to develop a new cystic fibrosis unit as well as a ground and first floor outpatient department with 50 consulting rooms. These are replacements for facilities that will be impacted in University Hospital Galway, UHG.

I also welcome the appraisal for a third endoscopy unit and the provision of a new helipad and medical laboratory building to house all existing facilities which are currently located in prefab accommodation, as well as a site appraisal and associated health planning assessments for a trauma centre in UHG.

I also welcome the new emergency department with a ward block for maternity and paediatric inpatient beds, totalling 30 new and 190 replacement beds. This project has been knocking around for a great number of years and I will continue to maintain the pressure to see this advance towards planning permission, which it is hoped will be seen this year, according to Mr. Paul Reid, CEO of the HSE.

I also welcome funding for the development of a new 40-bed unit at St. Anne's community nursing unit in Clifden as well as in Clifden District Hospital, which is being replaced. A commitment to the upgrade of St. Anne’s was made to HIQA in respect of the enhancement of the privacy and dignity of residents, who have multi-occupancy rooms at present with shared sanitary accommodation, to almost exclusively single en suite rooms. This is very important.

The new build will also seek to provide for emerging needs by the inclusion of a ten-bed dementia unit and rooms that can accommodate bariatric residents. The new build is on two levels of the dementia unit. Ten short-stay beds are planned for the ground floor and 20 long-stay beds for the upper floor.

I welcome the progression of that very important plan for St. Anne’s and for the Clifden District Hospital which are areas of great importance. It is a long way from Clifden to Galway city, as the Leas-Chathaoirleach knows, and it is important that we continue to provide services for short-stay and long-stay residents within the region.