Ennis haemodialysis unit
Violet-Anne Wynne again raised the long-promised satellite haemodialysis unit in Ennis, noting that tendering is finished but funding and HSE approval are still needed. Coveney said he could not commit funding for an individual project but would pass the matter to Health and the HSE.
I have raised the satellite haemodialysis unit in Ennis on a continual basis. In regard to a recent parliamentary question in respect of the UL Hospitals Group, it was stated that the tender process is now complete, which is welcome, but that funding and HSE board approval is now required. The Minister might remember back in 2021 that taxi costs for transporting patients from across the mid-west rose to more than €1.6 million. We would all agree that money would be far better spent developing the site - the unit - rather than dragging people from as far as Loop Head or Ballyvaughan into Limerick for their treatment, which is three days per week. Will the Minister give clarification today and maybe a commitment to secure the funding and approval for this vital project-----
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-----in order to give a better quality of life to the people of Clare.
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I thank the Deputy for raising the question but, as I think she probably knows, I cannot commit to funding for an individual project. I will certainly pass the question on to the Department of Health and the HSE which can respond to the Deputy directly.