Promises made to Waterford by the Government have not been delivered. That's the message from Minister of State at the Department of Health, Anne Rabbitte on the St. Otteran's Hospital in Waterford City.
A New purpose built multidisciplinary early intervention and respite care centre for children is planned to be constructed on the site.
Minister Anne Rabbitte raised her points at a recent sitting of the Seanad.
"Minister Mary Butler often talks about her niece Amy, who attends the service. Can I be honest with you Senator [ John Cummins], I struggled to get a response for you today.
"The response that I got was nothing more than a response of no progress. To be honest with you, it talks about my priorities. We all know my priorities and capital funding is one of them. You and Minister Mary Butler continue to champion projects that have been long-fingered for far too long.
"What Minister Butler said here on the floor of the chamber has not been honored. I will have to have questions with the HSE estates as to why not. It is regrettable news for people listening in today because St. Otteran's has been on the Capital Plan since 2014.
"At all times, I have tried to move St. Otteran's through the capital plan. There are communications from my office, where prioritisation has been evident for St. Otteran's."
Works were due to commence last year, but construction is yet to begin on-site under the Capital Plan 2023.
Waterford Senator John Cummins also questioned the progress of the project at a recent sitting of the Seanad.
"I have to say, Minister, standing here in 2024 without the project having progressed to a construction tender is simply not good enough from the HSE estates. I really want to know what's going on with this much-needed project for children with complex needs in Waterford City.
"What have they been doing the last couple of years not to be able to bring this project through to detailed design and tender? It's simply unacceptable."
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