The Taoiseach says it will be up to hospital management and staff at South Tipp General to make sure they make the most of the new 40 bed modular unit.
Health Minister Simon Harris confirmed the project will be going to tender during the Fine Gael think-in in Clonmel last Friday.
However Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told Tipp FM while hospital overcrowding is a serious issue it will take more than extra beds to resolve it.
The Taoiseach visited the Clonmel hospital during his time as Health Minister and is well aware of the situation there.
However he says other hospitals have managed to tackle the overcrowding problem
