Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the accident and emergency unit at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise will open; if the unit will open at full capacity or on the same basis as the current unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5820/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that the accident and emergency unit at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise is under staffed with resultant health and safety issues for the patients and staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5821/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.