There has been a broad welcome for today’s announcement that Gorey District Hospital has been allocated €3.5 million in funding for upgrades and refurbishment and the works will be completed in 2018.

“This very significant investment reflects the Government’s determination to maintain the current numbers of public nursing home beds and to ensure all public nursing homes will be compliant with HIQA standards by 2021,” said Fine Gael General Election candidate, Senator Michael D’Arcy.

“This is great news. Since I brought up this issue last year, I have been very worried about whether or not the HSE could meet the deadlines to ensure all necessary standards in Gorey would be met,” said Fianna Fail election candidate, Cllr Malcolm Byrne, who added: “The whole community is delighted that this hospital can continue at the highest standards.”

Cllr Robbie Ireton of The Labour Party also welcomed the funding. “This is great news for patients and staff and for the health services in North Wexford.”

The good news for Gorey is part of planned national investment for 90 centres, which between them have 4,723 beds.

This includes the replacement of 33 existing facilities and refurbishment or extension of 57 others. This programme of investment will also deliver 215 additional beds.