Funding of €560,000 has been secured to develop design plans for a new €7.85 million rehabilitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital.

Senator Maura Hopkins made the announcement today, 26 September.

She said: "I have been informed by the Manager of Roscommon University Hospital that funding approval of over €560,000 was received yesterday 25 September 2018, in order to move to the design phase of this project.

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"When completed, this new unit will serve the rehabilitation needs of the people of the West of Ireland and it will act as a satellite centre to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.

"I receive calls on a weekly basis from family members of individuals who, following serious trauma, are waiting to get into the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire. As an Occupational Therapist and having worked in rehabilitation, I am acutely aware of the positive impact that early access intervention can have for those in need of rehabilitation. Therefore, this new 20 bed unit will be of huge benefit to patients in this region.

"I have raised this matter with Minister Simon Harris on several occasions and will continue to work hard to ensure that this project can progress to planning in a timely manner."

(CM/MH)