Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane today welcomed the announcement that the Minister for Health expects that the full allocation of €4.8m for staff for the South East Palliative Care Centre in Waterford will be made in this year’s budget, with partial opening in February.

Deputy Cullinane said:

“Today I met with the Minister for Health, along with the other public representatives for Waterford,  regarding funding for the South East Palliative Care Centre.

“This is a meeting I had called for, having spent the past year doggedly raising this issue both in the Dáil and with the Minister himself.

“The Minister was able to tell us that he expects that the full allocation of €4.8m in the budget for staff and costs to open and maintain the centre will be made in this year’s budget, with partial opening of the centre in February.

“This is to be welcomed if the Minister’s expectations are realised, but we must also make sure there are no more delays.

“The Waterford Hospice Movement and the South East CHO need certainty going forward, and this announcement should give it.

“It is therefore extremely important that the relevant staff are hired as a matter of urgency upon the official announcement and that the Centre is up and running as soon as possible.

“I will continue to keep up pressure on this and other health matters for Waterford and the South East, to ensure that the people I represent get the services they need and deserve.”