Waterford 'neglected' for Capital Projects says TD
UHW
Waterford has been continually neglected by the State in terms of vital capital projects, says TD David Cullinane.
The statement comes as it was revealed that University Hospital Waterford (UHW) has only one capital project at appraisal.
According to a recent report, the New Acute Mental Health unit, first funded in 2021, was at the appraisal stage.
Deputy Cullinane made the comment during a Dáil session, saying: “Waterford has been left behind again and the Government’s own figures prove it.
“While hospitals in Galway, Limerick, Cork, Tallaght, Kilkenny and elsewhere have multiple major developments progressing, University Hospital Waterford has just one project at appraisal stage. This is simply not good enough for the only Model 4 hospital serving the South East.
The Sinn Féin deputy criticised fellow Déise TDs Mary Butler and John Cummins for claiming 'progress' despite constant shortfalls in governmental supports.
He said: “What makes this even more frustrating is that we have two Government Ministers in Waterford, Mary Butler and John Cummins, who constantly claim progress while Waterford is not getting its fair share. When you strip away the spin, the Waterford and the South East continues to lose out. The people of Waterford to see real investment and delivery.
He added: “We need cranes at University Hospital Waterford building the new ward block, the new Outpatients Department extension, the Acute Mental Health Unit and the additional capacity that has been promised for years."
