The Chair of the HSE's Regional Health Forum West has expressed huge disappointment over the further delay in the opening of the new emergency department in Limerick.
It follows confirmation that the target date to have the new facility up and running has been pushed back to next May.
In a statement to Clare FM, UL Hospitals Group says the new department will not now open until at least May 2017
That 's despite reassurances previously that the ED would be up and running in the first quarter of next year.
CEO Colette Cowan says contractors are on track to hand over the project at the end of March, but it will take a number of weeks for the new department to be equipped for opening.
Kilmaley Councillor Tom McNamara says he's sceptical over the new target and says the ongoing delay is unacceptable.
Another Clare member of the Regional Health Forum West PJ Ryan says he'll have to wait for the cutting of the tape to believe that the facility is ready.
However he insists the recruitment campaign for staff, which is currently underway, is a positive development.
