Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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360. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that presented to the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019. [51286/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the challenges facing the emergency departments in our hospitals.

According to HSE, there was a 2.7% increase in ED attendances nationally this year up to the end of October 2019 compared to the same period last year. The number of attendances for patients in the over 75 age group also increased by 3.3% nationally.

My Department has engaged extensively with the HSE this year to identify mitigating actions to bring down trolley numbers and waiting times in the ED in the face of growing demand.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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361. To ask the Minister for Health when the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital was built; the number of patients it was planned to cater for; and the intended capacity of the unit. [51287/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service issue, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.