The Taoiseach has confirmed that efforts are underway to address the overcrowding in the Emergency Dept of Mayo University Hospital.

Enda Kenny and the Minister for Health Simon Harris visited the hospital at the weekend and looked at the situation first hand.

Speaking to Midwest News today the Taoiseach accepted that there are problems of overcrowding in the ED dept of the hospital saying it was designed for 25,000 patients per year but is now catering for 38,000.

He explained that Minister Harris is working on putting a temporary structure in place and tenders have been invited for the provision of a temporary module building to extend the capacity of the unit to the rear as quickly as possible.

6 new beds are ready to be opened in the medical ward of the hospital.

Both the Taoiseach and Minister Harris also visited the site of the new 14 million euro expansion of the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar.

Enda Kenny described as “disappointing” the news that Northgate, a company that was to establish up to 150 jobs in the county town, is now closing its operation in the town, with the loss of 6 jobs.

He told Midwest News that despite that disappointment, other companies in the county are expanding and creating jobs.