Clonmel Hospital temporary accommodation
Deputy Cahill criticised the planned use of pre-fabs to deal with the acute bed crisis at Clonmel Hospital and asked about their source and timing. The Taoiseach referred the issue to the Health Minister, who said the HSE had created a national framework for temporary accommodation and that short-term capacity was needed while permanent expansion is developed.
The programme for Government contains various commitments for investment in our health services. At the weekend, there were announcements about Clonmel Hospital. The crisis there, including the shortage of acute beds in County Tipperary, has been well documented. We were told that the hospital will be equipped with pre-fabs to cater for the crisis situation. It is a totally inadequate response. Where will these pre-fabs be sourced from? What is the timeframe envisaged for their use, instead of the essential infrastructure that is needed in Clonmel Hospital?
Comment on this
As Deputy Cahill knows from my visit with him to Clonmel and Cashel, the HSE has now put in place a national framework for the provision of temporary alternative accommodation. This is just one of a range of measures. We know we need additional capacity in our health service, but it will take time to extend our hospitals. It is a question of what we can do in the short term to provide additional bed capacity and also more space to afford dignity to patients and staff which, quite frankly, they do not currently have in Clonmel. I am eager to progress with temporary accommodation in Clonmel. I will arrange a briefing for all the Tipperary Oireachtas Members so that everybody can be up to speed on that. The national framework is now in place, however, and I expect the HSE to get on with it.