THE Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, yesterday announced the sanctioning of a further £24 million extension to Limerick Regional Hospital but sparked a bitter political row in the process.
The announcement brings the total level of investment in the hospital by the outgoing Government to £40 million. The latest allocation drew the wrath of constituency colleague, Mr Desmond O'Malley of the Progressive Democrats, who said "the public should be deeply suspicious of announcements made three days prior to an election".
The Minister said the construction cost of Phase 2 of the hospital would be £13 million with work due to begin in August. The total cost would be £24 million including equipment and furnishing of a new paediatric unit, laboratory, physical medicine rehabilitation and accident and emergency unit. It includes a refurbished central sterile supplies department and radiology department as well as a newly designed hospital concourse.
The £40 million would enable the hospital to provide acute services for the population of the mid-western region, he added.