Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar has undergone an extension to the Radiology Department to accommodate a new MRI scanner, generously provided by the Friends of the Hospital. The project, with a full project cost of €8.3m, was included in the HSE Capital Programme for 2023. Currently, demand for MRI services at Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar is being fulfilled through a private provider, Charter Medical, and the regional MRI service at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.

Following handover of the building to the HSE, the unit was prepared for staff and patients, a process that was completed in early March. A Clinical Specialist Radiographer has been on site for several months, ensuring the completion of the preparatory work for the service’s commencement. A Consultant Radiologist post has been approved and the recruitment process is currently underway. For all other staff grades, recruitment has reached the stage where panels are in place.

In terms of broader staffing, I have secured funding for the recruitment of an additional 2,268 healthcare staff in 2024, which is outlined in the HSE National Service Plan approved and published on 14 February 2024. I have approved the allocation of the resources outlined in the HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy for 2024 and plans to recruit these 2,268 additional staff are now in motion.