The Taoiseach says the tender process for the second Cath Lab at University Hospital Waterford will start by the end of this month.
Michael Martin was responding to Deputy Matt Shanahan during Leaders Questions this afternoon.
The Independent TD says UHW is one of the busiest and most underfunded Model 4 hospitals in the country.
He says the situation with regard to the Cath Lab is unacceptable:
"The failure to implement a 24/7 cardiac-care pathway for the south-east region, one of five regional cardiac-care centres and yet in the last two weekends we have had patients transferred by road ambulances, risking nurses, risking doctors who may have to travel, the patients themselves and the paramedics. It's unacceptable
The Taoiseach says he has received assurances from the HSE:
"Covid-19 did delay the works in relation to that.
"It is intended now and I have been assured, not just by the Minister but by the HSE as well that it will go to tender at the end of this month."
