An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the Government will consider a new Minor Injuries Unit for Galway.

During Leaders Questions in the Dáil on Tuesday, Independent TD for Galway West, Noel Grealish made the case for a new Minor Injuries Unit (MIU).

Deputy Grealish said there are 15 of these MIUs dotted around the country, but none in Galway . . . and they are proven to help relieve pressure in Emergency Departments.

“The Emergency Department at UHG remains one of the busiest in the country, without the relief that would be provided by thousands of people being redirected to a Minor Injuries Unit,” he said.

Mr Varadkar replied that MIUs worked extremely well “with people with minor injuries not having to go to very busy and crowded emergency departments and, more important, people with minor injuries who need to be seen and to receive healthcare getting that healthcare in an uncrowded and more humane setting within a few hours.

“We are happy to give consideration to a Minor Injury Unit for Galway but I am not at liberty to make that commitment here and now. We will certainly take it seriously, however,” said An Taoiseach.

Deputy Grealish has also stated that it is unrealistic to believe that a new elective hospital for Galway could be built within four or five years.

“Realistically, it could take 15 years or more, given that the recently-opened radiotherapy unit in Galway took over 14 years to deliver.

“And the Taoiseach himself acknowledged in his response to me that so many important projects in the west have been delayed, particularly the emergency department and the paediatric and maternity units at University Hospital Galway, which, in his own words, should have been under construction by now, let alone have gone to planning.

“Given the track record of the HSE in delivering projects, I believe that a new elective hospital could be years away and a minor injuries unit should be provided in Galway to help provide some relief.  I intend to pursue this further with the Minister for Health and the HSE over the coming months,” Deputy Grealish said.