Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. The middle of the reply tells us that it is anticipated that the project could commence on site in quarter one of 2025, which is the news that the people of south Kildare really wanted to hear. I note that this is dependent on the final decision and the review of the tender process, which is standard enough practice for all major construction projects that the Government may look at. The Minister of State might confirm that in his reply.

I stress the urgent need for this. As the Minister of State said in his reply, the hospital was built in 1844. Not alone does it provide the care that he outlined, it also has a day care centre that is very important to the people of south Kildare and it also provides a meals-on-wheels service that is also very important to the people of south Kildare. This project is so badly needed for the excellent staff and management. Planning permission has been received. We hear from the Minister of State's reply that it is anticipated that it will commence in quarter one of 2025 subject to tender but I stress to him and the Government that this project will benefit not just the people of Athy but the people of south Kildare and the surrounding districts.