Richard O'Donoghue urges private funding to speed mid-west care
Richard O'Donoghue urged faster delivery of healthcare infrastructure in the mid-west, praising the opening of 96 beds in Limerick and pressing for progress on projects A, B and C. He supported developer-led options to build facilities and sell them back for one euro after 35 years if the State lacks funds, and warned against political interference from the new Minister for Justice.
Opening in Limerick
He noted the recent opening of 96 beds in Limerick and welcomed the advance. He said projects A, B and C are being pursued to improve care for people in the mid-west.
Developer-led funding option
O'Donoghue described proposals from developers who offered to build healthcare facilities when public funds are unavailable and to transfer them back for one euro after 35 years. He framed this as a practical contingency to avoid funding delays and accelerate delivery.
Concern about political obstacles
He criticised the new Minister for Justice - who he said previously held the minister's role and had failed in it - expressing hope that the minister will not stop funding or view the serving minister as a threat to leadership. He warned against turning infrastructure delivery into a political issue that could derail projects.
Delivery expectations and timeline
He insisted that money should not stand in the way and demanded delivery on budget and on time. He said there is an opportunity now to provide needed buildings and care quickly if procedures and funding pathways are allowed.
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Minister, you came to Limerick and we opened the 96 beds. I welcomed it. We now have A, B and C which we are looking for in Limerick for the care of people of the mid-west. We also have people that have come to us that are developers that say that if you haven't got the money to build these facilities, they will build it for you and they will sell it back to you for a euro after 35 years, if you haven't got the money. And the reason why I'm saying this is now our new Minister for Justice who was in your position and had failed in your position where you are excelling in areas where he didn't, I'm hoping that he will not stop the funding for the delivery of healthcare in Ireland. I do hope that it doesn't become a political situation where he sees you as a threat to his leadership and he also fails in this respect. We have a chance now to deliver infrastructure for the care of people of the mid-west and in Ireland if they allow you to put procedures in place where we can have buildings where we can actually care for people. I don't want money to stand in the way. I want delivery on budget on time. I do believe you can deliver it and I do hope that nothing stands in the way so if the budget doesn't allow for it, there is people out there that will develop these projects for you and give you the infrastructure that you need to make sure we can have delivery for people, care for people in a short length of time. Thank you. Thank you.
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