In reply to a recent parliamentary question, the Minister for Health told me, regarding the HIQA review of the creation of a model 3 hospital in the mid-west, that the decision would be made this May. I cannot comprehend why we need HIQA to do this review. It is as clear as the nose on my face we need another model 3 hospital with an accident and emergency department in the mid-west. There is a review of the NDP. Will we have to wait for that review? The reply said a decision will be made in May. Will that be honoured? Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste said prior to the election it would be honoured. Will the new 96-bed block in UHL be opened in July as promised? As a knock-on consequence, will the Nenagh community nursing home be transferred back to the people when the block is opened in July?

I thank the Deputy. I am very cognisant of the need for increased bed capacity and expanded service provision in the mid-west region. I will ask the Minister for Health to respond on specifics relating to timelines. There is consensus across this House on the need for greater investment in the mid-west when it comes to provision of healthcare and bed capacity. That is reflected in the programme for Government. I will get the Minister for Health to respond to the Deputy on the sequencing around that. In the context of the NDP, we want to ensure a greater envelope for healthcare infrastructure in our country. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, will be able to provide a direct response to the Deputy around the specific sequencing. The approach from Government is to ensure we respond to the genuine needs reflected in multiple reports.