Faraor géar, tá orm ospidéal an Chlocháin a ardú arís. Tá an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Butler, sa Teach. D'ardaigh mé an tseachtain seo caite é, ardeoidh mé an tseachtain seo chugainn é agus gach seachtain toisc nach féidir glacadh leis go bhfuil ospidéal an Chlocháin fós dúnta.

I just cannot accept that the hospital in Clifden remains closed. There is something really odd about this whole story. We have a hospital and the GPs have called for it to reopen. They have pointed out the essential nature of the services provided there. I just cannot accept that it still remains closed. On the previous occasion I asked the Taoiseach to take a personal interest. I put my hands up: I am happy for either the Taoiseach or the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, to answer but could they please agree with me that it is an unacceptable situation for a hospital to be closed for this length of time?

We need to put a little bit of context on it for people who might not understand what Clifden hospital is. There are two hospitals on the same site: one is a community nursing unit, CNU, where there are people under the fair deal scheme. The hospital also has a respite and rehab ward for six to seven people.

It is a district hospital.

I understand it is a district hospital. To be very clear, in case anyone thinks there are 20, 30 or 40 people in it - there is a ward for seven people. We were solely dependent on agency staff and we were not able to get them. I secured a derogation from the HSE to secure three full-time, permanent members of staff. Recruitment is currently under way for them. A panel is in place, but it takes time. Our full objective is to reopen the hospital. A respite-rehab ward is vital in the area. As the Deputy knows, when I was in Clifden last year I announced the building of a new CNU at a cost of €35 million to the State. A planning application has been submitted for it. I want those beds open and I will not stop until they are open.