Mattie McGrath: Urges circa 7 million to finish St. Michael's and add 33 beds
Mattie McGrath urged the Taoiseach to provide circa 7 million to complete the refurbishment of the old St. Michael's at Saultier Prairie General Hospital and create 33 extra beds. He described the work as "low-hanging fruit," saying the building is three-quarters finished and ready to be fitted out.
Funding request for St. Michael's
He told the Taoiseach that hospital management had implored for funding, circa 7 million, to "totally finish the republishment of the old St. Michael's" and to deliver 33 additional beds for patients.
Hospital capacity and patient flows
McGrath highlighted that the hospital’s capacity has doubled compared with 15 years ago and that many patients also come in from Westmore Hospital, underscoring the immediate need for extra beds and space.
Readiness and fit-out needs
He said the building is three-quarters finished and that the hospital already has beds, furniture and heating in place; only fitting-out and a few remaining issues stand between the completed works and operational use.
Staffing, management and recent visits
McGrath praised the hard-working staff and management, noting the hospital had around 80% of the staff available and commending teamwork seen on a recent tour in Clonmel. He also referenced modular building investment that has transformed facilities and a strong presentation from the head of nursing in the paediatric ward.
Government response and advocacy
In reply, the Taoiseach confirmed engagement with the Minister for Health and the HSE, saying he has approached them and that issues of additional capacity are being pursued. McGrath noted others, including Deputy Jackie Cahillan, have been advocating for the project.
Tone and closing remarks
The speech combined urgent advocacy for funding with praise for staff and a light-hearted closing about bananas - a repeated metaphor in his appeal for the "low-hanging fruit" to be delivered for patients and staff.
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You visited the Saultier Prairie General Hospital recently, and you met with management there, and they implored you to provide the funding, circa 7 million, in order to totally finish the republishment of the old St. Michael's, which is a very, very wonderful institution, to create 33 extra beds. The hospital is double the capacity it was at 15 years ago, and many, many patients come in there from Westmore Hospital as well, and, you know, they have this building, it's three quarters finished, you're quoted in the media saying, you couldn't understand why this wasn't done, this was really the low-hanging fruit, whether it would be apples, pears or oranges, I hope it's not bananas, we want this fruit, and it has to be delivered for the management there, the very hard-working staff and dedicated people, and the patients, they have the beds, they have the furniture, the heating and a few other issues with, you know, to get fitted out properly, and above all, they have the staff, the manager and family last night, they have 80% of the staff for us, so when you go, give them the low-hanging fruit. Thank you, Taoiseach. I just say, on behalf of bananas, bananas are very good for you, and you should take one a day, and there's plenty of potassium, but you're a bit late to this one. Yeah, I think Deputy Jackie Cahillan and others have been advocating for this, you're correct in quoting me, and you can rest assured I've approached the Minister for Health on this, and the HSE, and we are pushing issues of additional capacity. I want to commend the staff in Clonmel, a wonderful tour there, very great enthusiasm, great teamwork in the midst of the pandemic, but also in terms of the extension that we were opening, and the additional facilities that have already been invested in, in terms of modular building, which has transformed the hospital, to be fair. But there's more work needed now, and I particularly enjoyed visiting the paediatric ward, got a very good presentation there, from the head of nursing there, who knew her stuff, and I think gave a very good presentation in terms of the issue. Good morning. Thank you. You've always required money. That is, don't forget the odd banana the next one.
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