Ennis Hospital

The Taoiseach agreed with me that capacity at Ennis Hospital has to be increased as part of the solution to overcrowding at UHL. Plans drawn up a decade ago for a new block at the back of Ennis need to be resurrected.

Resourcing the Midwest health system

I attended a positive meeting about UHL yesterday with UL Hospitals Group management, the Health Minister, Taoiseach and fellow Oireachtas Midwest representatives. At long last, there was an acknowledgment that the Midwest hospital system is under-resourced compared to other regions of the State and that the Model 2 Hospitals, such as Ennis and Nenagh, are underutilised.

Overcrowding at UHL

Micheál Martin and his government failed the people of the Midwest by refusing to tackle the mounting problems at UHL. Leo Varadkar must now intervene.

I was shocked that the only proposal from the Government representative on today’s show was to call for mandatory face masks and “other restrictions”, and to call for young doctors and nurses to be forced to work in a chronically mismanaged health system.

105 people on trolleys at UHL

Clare TD Michael McNamara today raised the issue of overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Dáil today.

Speaking after the debate, Deputy McNamara said, “It is very disappointing that the Taoiseach tried to wash his hands of overcrowding in UHL today, having previously told me he’d “come back” to me with details of the expert group sent there and their terms of reference.”

Northern Distributor Road

The Government’s decision not to proceed with the second phase of the Northern Distributor Road lacks strategic vision. The Clare side of the University of Limerick campus needs to be developed for the benefit of the university, Clare, Limerick and the wider region, and sustainable travel links should be central to that development. The Government has sadly neglected these imperatives. 

UHL overcrowding

Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara today called for an independent investigation into ongoing overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), where a record 111 patients were on trolleys this morning.

Addressing Taoiseach Micheal Martin during Promised legislation in Dáil Éireann today, Deputy McNamara said the exponential growth in trolley numbers at UHL was unlikely to be halted by the introduction of additional beds alone and that consideration should be given to upgrading other hospitals within the UHL Group.

Responding to Deputy McNamara, the Taoiseach said he would request the Minister for Health and the HSE to review the Clare TD’s proposal around the causes of ongoing overcrowding.

Deputy McNamara commented, “There is no clear indication as to why UHL is consistently the most overcrowded hospital in the country. I don’t know whether it is how admissions and discharges are managed in the hospital or if Ennis, Nenagh or St. Johns need to be upgraded to Model 3 Hospitals. An investigation needs to be commissioned without delay.”

McNamara questions Clare’s omission from tourism funding scheme

County Clare does not feature amongst the 16 counties, including Galway, Kerry and Limerick, which are set to receive funding under the €1.2 million scheme.

Deputy McNamara says Minister Heather Humphreys, who announced the funding on Friday, should publish the awarding criteria given that County Clare is the 7th most afforested county in Ireland.

“Given that Clare is one of the most afforested counties in Ireland, both in terms of the size of area under forestry and the proportion of the County that is afforested, it is deeply disappointing that it is not receiving funding under this scheme,” explained Deputy McNamara.

“Community groups and voluntary organisations, along with Clare County Council and others, have developed and maintained many woodland walks and trails throughout the county in recent years. I would have thought that sites such as Cratloe Woods, Moylussa, Ard Aoibhinn, Knocknageeha in Killanena, Dromore, Ballybeg, Lees Road and Mount Callan, amongst others, between them offered scope for development.”

“The exclusion of any County Clare site from this funding announcement, therefore, requires explanation,” concluded Deputy McNamara.

Limited capacity for Clare v Cork

I have requested Minister with responsibility for Sport, Deputy Jack Chambers to explain why capacity has been set at 500 for the Clare versus Cork game when the same venue hosted 3,000 spectators for the Munster Championship semi-final between Clare and Tipperary three weeks ago.

We’re aware of Delta but also that there will be further variants. Supporters are rightly annoyed especially given the match is only on Sky Sports.

Shannon Heritage extension of opening

Failte Ireland today confirmed the “summer” tourist season will be extended. Shannon Heritage needs to review its opening schedule urgently also in view of anticipated supports. Craggaunowen, Knappogue Castle & Walled Garden and Dungaire Castle need to open and all Shannon Heritage attractions in the Midwest, including Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and King John’s Castle need to remain open beyond the end of August.

Extend opening of Shannon Heritage sites

In the Dáil today, I questioned Heritage Minister Josepha Madigan about the decision of Shannon Group to close its Shannon Heritage sites in the Mid-West from the end of August whilst keeping its Dublin sites open. To treat OUR heritage in that manner is disgraceful. Having met staff at the weekend, I will be meeting with management at Shannon Group to request them to reconsider the decision to close all its sites in Clare, Limerick and Galway from the end of August.

Shannon Heritage sites and Aer Lingus workers at Shannon Airport

In the Dáil, I questioned Minister Ross on why Shannon Heritage managed tourist sites in the Dublin region would remain open as Bunratty Castle, Craggaunowen, Knappogue, Dunguaire Castle and King John’s Castle close from the end of August. I also requested Minister Ross to use the influence of Government to seek to have Aer Lingus reverse its discriminatory treatment of its long serving Shannon based staff.