Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne says the actions of the HSE in respect of the proposed 60 bed Community Nursing Unit(CNU) in Cashel will add to the cost and time taken to complete the project.
Deputy Browne made the comment after receiving, upon request, an update on the progress made by the HSE in evaluating potential sites in the town.
Deputy Browne says the flow of information about the project has fallen far short of assuring the community as to the future of the CNU.
The Cashel based TD continues to dispute that the original site at St Patricks Hospital is not suitable for the facility.
At present the HSE says it is reviewing two sites – the Palmers’ Hill site – which the TD considers is wholly unsuitable – and a parcel of land to the rear of the hospital.
Deputy Browne reports that the HSE intends to have the review of the site to the rear of the hospital concluded by the end of September.
The HSE say that final capital funding requirements will be determined upon completion of the design of the new unit and receipt of tenders.
To date €184,000 has been spent on the initial design process – the TD is concerned that if a new design is now foreseen due to the HSE demanding a new site, then the overall design cost incurred by the taxpayer is going to be astronomical.
The TD also reveals that the HSE says that they are now using a standard design model for these builds and questions why this needs to be adjusted for Cashel at extra expense to the taxpayer.
The project was originally to go to planning in 2019, in February of this year the HSE decided that the original site at St Patrick’s Hospital was not suitable for the facility.
