Monaghan Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy, claimed in the Dáil on Wednesday that beds in Monaghan hospital are currently closed.

Deputy Carthy asked Taoiseach Simon Harris to intervene after Minister Stephen Donnelly ‘fobbed questions to the HSE who have yet to respond’.

Teachta Carthy said:

“We still suffer the consequences of the decisions of first Fianna Fáil and then Fine Gael governments to remove services from Monaghan hospital.

“Those consequences are very evident to anyone who has had the misfortune of ending up in the emergency rooms of Drogheda or Cavan.

“Over the past 5 years I have, with the local community, campaigned for the return of services to Monaghan.  We have had some success with the increase of operating hours at the Minor Injuries Unit.

“But, my question to you today is why are beds lying idle in Monaghan hospital?

“I am told that there are currently 7 beds closed in the Diamond Ward.  There are 3 rooms within that ward and they are now being used for storage space.

“That ward opened to much fanfare with the Minister stating 7 new beds were opening in Monaghan Hospital but in fact there were only 2 extra beds.  Many of those beds are being unused even as several families try desperately to secure a stepdown or rehabilitation bed in Monaghan.

“The Minister has fobbed my questions on this to the HSE who haven’t responded.

“The Taoiseach needs to proactively intervene to reopen this ward and utilise Monaghan hospital to its full potential.”

Speaking afterwards, Deputy Carthy said:

“It’s clear that we need a change of government that is committed to returning and developing services at Monaghan Hospital.  Sinn Féin give that commitment and if people vote for myself, Cathy Bennett and Pauline Tully in the upcoming election they will be voting for a new beginning for our hospital.”