Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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195. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the accident and emergency department at Portiuncula Hospital; if there is any threat to the future of the unit; and if, in light of civil servant warnings over proposed cutbacks in the health service, including the potential closure of Portiuncula's emergency department and the loss of 50 beds in local hospitals, will affect services at the hospital. [34989/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Article in the Irish Times last week was based on information related to the Department's submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform under the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) exercise. This Review exercise is carried out every three to four years. The last such Review was completed in 2011. As my Department’s CRE submission is currently under consideration, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time. However, I can confirm that there are currently no specific plans to close the 24-hour emergency department at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe.