CUH clinical medical school tender
Deputy Shanahan questioned a new €18 million medical clinical school project at CUH and said it had not been properly brought before the House. The Tánaiste defended the project as part of health expansion, noted funding mechanisms for universities, and said he supported more clinical schools nationwide.
On Sunday, 8 October, two days before the budget, an HSE tender issued to build a new €18 million medical clinical school on the grounds of Cork University Hospital, CUH. The tender close-out date is just four weeks. I can find no reference to this development in the records of the House.
Comment on this
It is a new clinical medical school at CUH. I cannot see where the project was presented to the Dáil and where it was debated, scrutinised or approved by the House. University College Cork, UCC, informed us through the Irish Examiner that the development is for "anticipated" needs, not pressing or present needs. South East Technological University, SETU, is awaiting the outcomes of endless advisory panel reviews for new programmes in dentistry, pharmacy, medicine, nursing and veterinary, not to mention the approval of our 2012 engineering building. UCC has its answer before any of these SETU processes have concluded seeing that this project has been whipped through the statutory approvals process. It is a beautiful thing to see three Ministers at the height of their powers making things happen for the people of Cork. I ask the Tánaiste will he answer this to the people of Waterford.
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For three years, the Deputy has. The Deputy should know because there is a medical school already there. CUH is a university hospital. By the way, universities are approximately 50% funded by the State.
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I am saying to the Deputy they have other mechanisms by which they get money - finance, borrow, etc. - to update existing facilities. I am glad the Deputy mentioned it, by the way, because Deputy Doherty said there was nothing happening in health. Deputy Shanahan is now criticising the fact that there is a major €18 million project going ahead.
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No. I am criticising the fact that there is nothing comparable in Waterford.
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The Deputy will be aware that we need more doctors, nursing staff, dentists, etc. I have no problem with expanding clinical and medical schools across the entire country to get the requisite numbers that we need for future population growth. The population is growing already.
Comment on this
Will the Tánaiste expand on the basis of benefiting University Hospital Waterford?