Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I second the motion. I thank the Minister for coming here to address this all-important motion. I acknowledge the amount of investment - up to €98 million over recent years - put into the University Limerick Hospitals Group. While many parts of the hospital are working, there are parts that are not. I know the Minister is well aware of this and that he has visited the hospital. I acknowledge, as did Senator Conway, that when the management of UHL came before the Committee on Health, they apologised to people - the staff, the people who have visited the hospital, patients and their families - and that must be acknowledged.

As Senator Conway outlined, this has been going on for an awfully long time. I come from Limerick city, which is the third largest city. We have the main hospital and the level 2 hospitals - St John's Hospital, and Nenagh and Ennis hospitals. Croom Hospital is also part of the UL Hospitals Group. I know protocols have been put in place recently and that Mallow hospital has been used. There have been enhancements at Ennis Hospital. I understand some of the protocols put in place at Ennis have helped in the reduction of trolley numbers at UHL. However, as the third largest city, we deserve better than what is going on in terms of delivery to the people of the mid-west. Senator Conway spoke about the elective hospital but we also need, in addition to the accident and emergency unit, an enhanced trauma ward and an enhanced minor injuries unit so that when people attend the emergency department who do not necessarily need to be there, they can be treated and looked after in the enhanced unit.

The Government recently sanctioned the elective clinics, which is an issue I have raised with the Minister before. That needs to be accelerated, as does the delivery of the 98-bed blocks. We also need to see staff being recruited along with this because there is no point in building units if-----