From the Galway City Tribune: The HSE has drawn up site-clearance plans for University Hospital Galway, to make way for what will eventually be the permanent Emergency Department and a new Women’s and Children’s block.

The health authority has blamed the old pre-fabs for “unacceptable foul odours” from the drainage system.

The HSE has now sought planning permission for the demolition of the temporary pre-fab offices used as for the segregation of the ‘old’ Emergency Department during the Covid pandemic and pre-fab buildings used for outpatients services and the building used for security.

At the end of last year, the new Temporary Emergency Department (TED) opened its doors – part of which will form the new €450m ED and Women and Children’s block which the HSE hopes will open in 2029.

“The removal of residual temporary buildings and two single-storey sections of the permanent buildings is now required to progress the clearance of the site for the proposed ED and Women’s & Children’s block.

“The demolition works include removing redundant mechanical and electrical services and utilities, which cross the site, and associated asbestos removal. They also include removal of site works such as concrete ramps, steps and railings.

“Notwithstanding the requirement to remove the buildings to clear the site, the greater part of the buildings have reached the end of their useful life.

“There are also significant infrastructural problems associated with them, particularly foul drainage. The buildings have been built over the existing foul drainage system and parts of it are inaccessible.

“There have been continuing maintenance difficulties, which have resulted in unacceptable foul odours and blockages.

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“Reinstatement works comprise blocking up openings which previously formed links between the hospital main block and the buildings to be removed, reinstating roads and footpaths to a safe condition and temporary surfacing of the site.

“The existing consultants’ carpark will be reinstated to 2019 configuration, prior to the pandemic, to provide the same number of spaces at that time,” the application reads.

A demolition plan included as part of the application noted that if any asbestos is encountered on site, it must be transported under a hazardous waste licence to a landfill or hazardous waste facility by specialist contractors.

A decision is expected from Galway City Council at the beginning of May.