Almost two years ago to the day, with like-minded colleagues on this side of the House, I was given a mandate to enter the Dáil and effect change in dealing with a number of critical issues, including health, housing and public transport. We entered the Dáil knowing that the health service was in disarray, under pressure and bursting at the seams. That is what led to the setting up of the cross-party committee that produced the Sláintecare report last May. However, there was no action following the report and no sense of urgency until, when under pressure on 12 January, eight months after the report had been produced, an announcement was made on a recruitment process. Simultaneously, we were told about the results of the capacity review which told us what we all knew, that there was an urgent need for more beds. Like me, none of my colleagues expected solutions overnight, given the long background of health service underfunding, but we certainly expected to see a sense of urgency.

I am asking the Taoiseach to come with me on a journey to Galway city in the next two minutes. We had 46 people waiting on trolleys today and 52 yesterday, which was the second highest in the country. Every second day we have the highest number in the country. We know from Dr. Hickey and other very experienced clinicians that this leads to 350 to 400 deaths per year. In Galway, the hospital is at crisis point. Lack of capacity is number one on the risk register. There was a leak in its sister hospital in Merlin Park on 4 September 2017, which has been raised by me and other Deputies in the Chamber. We were told repairs would take a few weeks. On 13 September, there was a further leak and we were told engineers and architects had been appointed. We were told it would only be a matter of weeks. During that time, the hospital was told to look at alternative arrangements, including capacity, if any, in the hospital, which was already bursting at the seams, capacity in the private hospitals, or any other way it could source alternative care.

It is now six months later and the two theatres remain closed. They have been repaired. However, a clinical review has told us they are no longer suitable. The design is not compatible with modern standards. Modular theatres are promised for next October, 13 months after the water first poured into the two theatres in Galway. On average, 60 patients were scheduled and 160 have been seen in the hospital. No other alternative arrangements have been made. Just under 1,500 patients are waiting for knee and hip replacements and surgeries. We have been told one solution and it has not happened. We have been given various scenarios that have not happened. We have had linguistic gymnastics while people awaiting hip and knee surgeries have no idea about gymnastics. I am asking the Taoiseach to take a hands-on approach and to clarify, today or as soon as possible, when the two theatres that have been closed, scandalously, for more than six months will reopen.

I acknowledge the enormous disruption that has been caused for some patients and to our health services in Galway as a result of the works that have been carried out at Merlin Park University Hospital. These have been done in the interest of the health and safety of patients and staff. I am informed by the Minister for Health that the HSE is committed to ensuring that full elective orthopaedic capacity at Merlin Park University Hospital is restored. In September 2017, leaks in the roof of the building that houses Merlin Park University Hospital's orthopaedic theatres occurred and that necessitated the closure of both theatres.

I have been informed that a full repair of the membrane of the roof was required to secure the integrity of the building. These works are now complete. Notwithstanding the repair, the theatres date from the 1950s and do not meet current clinical standards. An independent clinical assessment has been undertaken to assess the feasibility of returning these theatres to use. The hospital management has advised the best way to restore effective capacity at Merlin Park University Hospital is through the provision of two modular theatres on the site. This has now gone to tender and the tender for these new modular units is at the final stages. It is expected the contract will be awarded in the coming weeks with works to take place thereafter.

I do not know how to express my disappointment at the Taoiseach's reply. Two theatres have been out of action since September of last year. The Taoiseach has been repeating the same type of response for the past number of months. A clinical review has been carried out. The clinical review has said the current design does not meet current surgical standards which begs the question why it was not done prior to the repairs instead of after. We are looking at modular theatres which were supposed to be a temporary measure but they will not be in place 13 months after the water poured in. How can the Taoiseach stand over the situation in Galway? We were led to believe in October at a meeting convened under pressure by the Minister for Health that it would be sorted out. Beds in the hospital in University Hospital Galway were reopened. Why were beds closed on St. Finbar's orthopaedic ward in a hospital that is bursting at the seams when beds can suddenly be opened to facilitate Merlin Park University Hospital? We are also discovering that another solution is to open an old theatre in Merlin Park.

Every time we get an answer we get a different one. The answer the Taoiseach gave us was given months ago, and the repairs were completed months ago.

The answer I gave the Deputy is the one I had to hand. I am not charged with dealing with this issue day to day. Those who are, namely, the management of the hospital and the Minister for Health, may be able to give the Deputy a more up-to-date answer. I am told that some elective orthopaedic surgeries have now been provided in University Hospital Galway and that, between 20 October and 29 January this year, 88 patients had procedures carried out at University Hospital Galway that would otherwise have been carried out at Merlin Park.