Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny is on the campaign trail in Wexford today in a bid to whip up support for next month's local and European elections.
Accompanied by MEP Ms Avril Doyle, the opposition leader toured the cash-strapped Wexford General hospital earlier this morning to highlight delays in the building of a 19-bed extension and the opening of a 10-bed elderly day-care centre.
A spokeswoman for Ms Doyle described the under-utilisation of the day-care centre, which was completed last year but cannot be opened due to lack of staff, as "scandalous" and said health will continue to be a major election issue.
Mr Kenny visits the unemployment blackspot of Enniscorthy later this afternoon where hundreds of jobs were recently lost following the closure of two technology plants.
The opposition leader is expected to call for urgent investment in the region to combat the soaring jobless rate, which hit 19 per cent last year and is one of the hightest in the country.
Mr Kenny will then move on to Gorey, a Fine Gael stronghold, before attending the Wexford races this evening.