Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for selecting this matter. I will say this again, as I have said numerous times. There are four Ministers in the Department of Health, senior and junior, and yet Deputy Noonan is here. I mean no disrespect to him but it is something many of us have raised in the past.

For the first time since I came into these Houses in 2011, I can see a vision from the Saolta Hospital Group for healthcare in the west. Heretofore we have had internal politics, division and debate about different sites between UHG and Merlin Park with regard to dealing with the infrastructural needs in Galway. It is not just Galway but the whole region because University Hospital Galway is a model 4 hospital for the region. Unfortunately, its infrastructure is outdated. A temporary emergency department has been built of late to allow for future development and a new 75-bed ward. There has been some work in other areas such as an adult mental health unit and more. We are in bad need of investment in the area. The plan produced by the Saolta group incorporates four effective areas, including a new emergency department women and children's block, which I have raised here on numerous occasions. The strategic assessment report is with the Minister. We need to progress this and for the next stage to go through the business case for development and all of that. This is a major project of more than €100 million. That is why it has been delayed compared to original plans. It is absolutely vital. In 2015, the then Taoiseach Enda Kenny said in response to a question from the leader of the Opposition, Deputy Micheál Martin, that the emergency department was not fit for purpose. It was not fit for purpose then or years before that and it is not fit for purpose now.

The second project Saolta is interested in is the replacement of the laboratory buildings. A new five-storey laboratory block adjacent to the current mortuary is currently being considered by the HSE nationally. This project has approval in principle within the HSE but it is currently reviewing a strategic assessment report. This would replace laboratories built in the 1950s. That is important as well. The third item relates to cancer care and a new ward block. According to the national development plan, "In accordance with balanced regional development, a cancer care network for the Saolta region (West, North West) with a Cancer Centre at Galway University Hospital with appropriate infrastructure will be delivered." That is in the national development and Project Ireland 2040.The reports have identified a bed deficit in Galway and, really, we have a situation in which cancer patients are in competition with other people to get beds. That is not good enough. A dedicated cancer unit is needed for people who have to travel long distances, whether it is from Donegal, Mayo or elsewhere in Galway to avail of the services. A 200-bed ward block is needed and must be prioritised. The final item on the list relates to an elective hospital. The review carried out recommended a 125 day-bed and 71 inpatient room hospital be built. These are the asks of Saolta.

We had a very important meeting recently in which Professor Kearns led off and we heard from stakeholders and clinicians in the area about the needs of Galway University Hospital and the region. We wish to see the plans progress and there is cross-party support for the delivery of these projects for Galway and the region.