Cashel nursing unit site
Deputy Browne criticised the long delay over a planned 60-bed community nursing unit in Cashel and argued the proposed site was inaccessible and wasteful. After some back-and-forth and Chair intervention, the Tánaiste said acquiring new sites is generally beneficial and he would raise the Deputy's concerns with the HSE.
I want to raise the issue of the 60-bed community nursing unit that was to be built in St. Patrick's Hospital in Cashel. In 2022 I raised this issue in the Dáil and was told that the site was not going to be used. The project has dragged on and on, even though the money has been approved for it because the site is not suitable. I was then told that there are two fields in Palmer's Hill owned by the HSE. I warned the Minister that this site is not suitable because of access issues and the site itself. Now I have been told that the HSE is going to waste money purchasing another plot of land beside that site. I can assure the Tánaiste that site will never be used. Our Lady's Hospital in Cashel already has 40 patients who are due to go into the new unit. I ask the Tánaiste or the Minister for Health to intervene and stop the HSE from wasting money. Money should be invested in Our Lady's Hospital. The HSE should reconfigure rooms in that hospital for the other 20 patients who are due to go into the new unit. There should be no more wasting of public money by the HSE on a field that is never going to be used.
Comment on this
The HSE is committed to this and the Deputy is correct to say it has been seeking a site. Is he saying the HSE should stay on the existing site?
Comment on this
The HSE owns two fields on Palmer's Hill but has told the Minister that site is not accessible by road and it will not be built on. The HSE is about to purchase another field adjoining that, which is a waste of money.
Comment on this
We are not in the Members' Bar now, so we cannot have a conversation across the Chamber about this.
Comment on this
I only answered the question I was asked.
Comment on this
I would simply say that generally speaking, acquiring new sites is a good thing for the health service because it allows us to build modern, custom-built facilities. Normally, the HSE deals with the local authority to work out the planning and zoning context. That is what normally happens and what normally should happen. If, from the HSE's perspective, the purchasing of the new site is the key to unlocking the building of a new facility, then it should go ahead with that but I will talk to the HSE about the Deputy's misgivings.