The Minister for Health Simon Harris has promised the people of Portlaoise that he will provide ‘clarity’ on the future of the hospital by the end of the year.
There are just 18 days remaining before we enter 2018 and speaking to RTE Radio One this morning, the Minister says he will outline his intentions before then.
Speaking to Gavin Jennings on Morning Ireland, he said: “I have already said I am going to bring clarity to Portlaoise by the end of the year. That’s still my intention.
“Even under the report submitted by the HSE, which has been leaked on many occasions, even under that report it envisages services to continuing for many years.
“I think there is a lot of serious issues. We haven’t done reconfiguration well in this country. I want to consider the issue very carefully. I have been considering the issue very carefully and I will outline my position by the end of the year.
“You’re asking me my intentions today. I am still engaging with my department in relation to the issue.
“I think there is very serious questions about capacity in the health service.
“I’m not sure the withdrawal of services pending that make sense, but what I will do for the people of Portlaoise is provide clarity in the coming weeks by the end of the year on my intentions for their hospital.”
The interview comes on the same day that Harris was due to speak with the three Laois TDs about the ongoing issue.
However, that has now been postponed and will now take place on Friday instead.
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