It seems long awaited proposals for new wards and fifty extra beds at Ennis General have moved forward.

In a planning application lodged to Ennis Town Council The Health Service Executive is seeking permission to develop a two-storey ward building to connect into the existing county hospital on the Gort Road which is a protected structure.

According to the application the new structure will be at ground and first floor level and will include bedrooms, associated treatment rooms and staff facilities

The HSE is also seeking the realignment of the internal roadway and paths at Ennis General, alterations to the layout of the south east wings of the existing hospital and a temporary entrance and exit at Highfield Park for traffic during construction.

There's likely to be mixed reaction to the news given that the HSE is currently proposing 25 bed closures at Ennis General along with the removal of up to 300 temporary posts at hospitals in the mid west .while. Some local representatives claim the new proposed development is only replacing facilities which have already been lost.