The new Emergency Department is three-and-a-half times the size of the current one, and is state-of-the-art when it comes to design and use of technology and meets patient safety and privacy requirements, including a designated waiting are for pediatric patients.  The total cost of the project is €24 million.

I welcome an allocation of funding from the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Mr Denis Naughten, of €4 million for community energy projects in Tipperary.

This year's funding will provide for energy efficiency upgrades to more than 2,013 homes across the country, of which 1,510 are energy poor, and a further 479 community, public and commercial facilities.

The Better Energy Communities Schemes is intended to assist private and public buildings achieve energy efficiency upgrading. The projects in Tipperary will see the installation and/or upgrading of energy efficient heating systems; energy efficient lighting, and solar heating.