Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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551. To ask the Minister for Health the progress in locating modular patient accommodation on the South Tipperary General Hospital campus to alleviate the overcrowding situation at the hospital; if a company has been sourced to provide the modular accommodation; if the Health Service Executive has engaged proactively with the local authority involved as regards the planning process for same and their requirements; when he envisages that the first patients and staff will be able to move into the new facilities once provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16626/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Winter Initiative recognises that there are specific challenges in relation to capacity at South Tipperary General Hospital (STGH). As such, various options are being considered, including the use of the “National Framework for Alternative Accommodation on Hospital Sites”, to provide additional surge capacity through a temporary inpatient solution at the STGH site. The next stage will be for a mini-tender to be coordinated to request proposals in relation to temporary patient accommodation solutions. Decisions in relation to the opening of temporary alternative accommodation in specific locations will be made based on the outcome of this procurement process and the submissions made by hospitals and hospital groups.

In terms of providing additional support in the short term, I have been advised that the HSE is working towards providing extra surge capacity through the fit out of additional space on the first floor of the hospital to alleviate pressure on the Emergency Department. This extra capacity is expected to be available from early May and could be used to accommodate space for up to 11 bays.