Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House to discuss this important issue. I ask that the Minister of Health provide an update regarding the new endoscopy suite at Bantry General Hospital, including a timeline for the commencement of the project. The new endoscopy unit originally launched by the former Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, has started in many ways. I will go over the timeline for the project. In January 2022, it went for tender and in February 2022, planning permission was granted. In the capital plan for 2022, it was allocated €1.8 million. In September 2022, I called to the hospital and we walked the site and saw what was happening on-site. In the capital plan announced on 29 May, a total of €1.6 million was allocated for the site and this proposal.

I acknowledge the good work regarding this unit in Bantry hospital. Bantry is a unique location right at the edge of County Cork. The hospital covers three major peninsulas, part of north County Cork and County Kerry. It is a wonderful institution that has a significant influence on healthcare in that part of the world. It is also a significant economic driver in the community. There are more than 330 whole-time equivalent staff working in the hospital, including 17 house doctors and, for the first time ever, six full-time consultants. This shows the level of investment in Bantry General Hospital over the last few years. As well as the endoscopy unit, there is a daycare centre, injury centre, rehabilitation centre, high-dependency unit and stroke unit. Much is happening in the unit.

I am disturbed by political commentary about Bantry General Hospital. It has been made a political football by some politicians, in particular in west Cork, who talk down this wonderful institution daily. I fundamentally believe they are trying to close it on the back of talking it down. I will read out some of the terminology used about Bantry General Hospital and this unit in the last few weeks. It has been published in the local newspapers. These politicians have stated there has not been sight nor sound of developments proposed for this unit. Money has been allocated and major works have taken place on-site. I hope the Minister of State can confirm this afternoon the good work on-site. If this kind of negative publicity continues regarding Bantry General Hospital, it will be undermined so much that it will effectively close for cheap political gain. It is inappropriate, not alone on a political level but for the public who depend on Bantry General Hospital. Every time this wonderful institution is talked down, the knock-on effect is that the hospital finds it harder to get people to come to Bantry to work in it. That is the reality. The hospital has done a fantastic job in having six full-time consultants, 17 house doctors and 330 whole-time equivalents working in it. There has been huge investment, with €6.1 million provided this year alone, and, I hope, another €12 million next year. That is a significant investment in the institution.The knock-on implication of the continuous bad-mouthing or talking down of the institution has to be acknowledged. I fundamentally believe this is the cheapest and lowest form of politics. It is literally working on people's fears for political gain.

I acknowledge the good work of the staff, in particular, and the management as they try to ensure the hospital goes from strength to strength. I hope the Minister of State will outline the timeline for the completion of the project and the budget set aside for this wonderful hospital.