There's a call for the Government to provide clarity as to whether a new Model three hospital in the Midwest will be included in the National Development Plan. The revised plan gives the Department of Health an allocation of €9 billion for 2026 to 2030 but a list of projects to be supported isn't expected to be finalised for several months. The findings of HIQA's review of emergency capacity in this region are due in September and hopes for a new emergency department were dealt a significant blow in May when HSE MidWest made a submission that didn't recommend such a facility. Scariff-based Independent MEP Michael McNamara believes residents of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary deserve a straight answer on the matter.