Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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523. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the purpose-built cystic fibrosis unit at Cork University Hospital is not open, despite €2 million having been raised by the Build4life Group. [28285/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the completion of the new 20 bed CF and respiratory unit at Cork University Hospital. This unit, with single bedrooms and state of the art infection control, will be a great boost for CF patients and their families in the region. The construction of new paediatric CF facilities at CUH has also started.

I am aware of concerns about delays in opening the new inpatient unit at the hospital. I am advised that, while it is completed and fitted out, there are difficulties with staffing the unit. Recruitment of nurses is an issue, not just for CUH, but nationally and internationally. I have been assured that CUH is actively recruiting nursing staff and will open the unit as soon as it can be safely and effectively staffed. The National Recruitment Service has been asked to prioritise this issue.