Frustrated Kilkenny TD to tackle Health Minister over latest MRI scanner delay

By COLIN BARTLEY

A KILKENNY TD has hit out at the ongoing delay in delivering the long promised MRI scanner to St Luke’s General Hospital.

Deputy Bobby Aylward today revealed he has resubmitted a parliamentary question to Health Minister Simon Harris to explain why the vital project has not been delivered, in spite of numerous promises.

The Irish East Hospital Group (IEHG) has said the project is ready to go to tender dependent on the release of funds, through the Department of Public Expenditure and Reforms multi-annual capital plan.

The earliest the MRI could be in situ atSt Luke’s is 2020, but there is a much skepticism locally as politicians and fundraising groups argue they have heard all this before.

Kilkenny TD Bobby Aylward said he raised the issue of why there has been no progress on the MRI scanner in the Dáil before and remains frustrated he has to ask the same question again.

He told KilkennyNow.ie: “I raised this issue about the MRI scanner in November/December of last year. We have resubmitted the exact same Parliamentary Question.

“The apparent lack of follow-through on the promises made by Minister’s Harris is obviously concerning. The Friends of St. Luke’s Group has done amazing work in raising a substantial amount of money to subsidise the installation of this crucial piece of equipment and it is time the Minister held up his side of the bargain.

“I have tabled a Dáil Question seeking an urgent update and I look forward to his response,” Deputy Aylward (pictured below) added.

The Friends of St Luke’s Group has campaigned for an MRI scanner for our local hospital for over a decade and raised €250,000 for the project.

In May 2017, the HSE committed €2.45 million to the project, while Minister Harris just last year committed a further €1.25 million to cover all costs.