Health Department to invest €85m in medical units

The Department of Health is to invest €85m in new medical units around the country.

The announcement by Minister for Health Michael Martin will create around 1,200 new jobs.

Under the scheme, 200 extra hospital beds will be put in place by next year.

Michael Martin has said all areas of the country are to benefit. "The range of new facilities that are involved include Naas general hospital, the A&E department in Cork University Hospital and major developments at James Connolly Memorial Hospital."