The programme for a partnership Government states that "we will commence the design of a new [emergency department] in Beaumont later this year with a view to funding for the construction being provided as part of the 2017 Capital Plan". By any stretch of the imagination, that timetable has now flipped somewhat. Budget 2018 provided just €100,000 to fund design team fees in this regard and the project will cost approximately €40 million, so we have a long way to go. There is talk of the project commencing in 2019 but I have my doubts about that. The HSE is still talking about preliminary design works, including appraisal, project brief, design feasibility studies and so on. To me, that sounds like we have a long way to go.

This hospital was opened 30 years ago and is one of the busiest in the country. Its catchment area is rapidly expanding and it has an ageing population. There has been no major investment in the hospital since it opened. Therefore, when will construction of this long-promised emergency department commence?

I honestly do not know the answer. However, it is in the programme for Government and it will be done. I cannot give the Deputy a timeline but I will ask the Minister to clarify the situation.