James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think the Chairman will find when Mr. O'Brien has an opportunity to respond that that will be the case. We have discussed the issue on a number of occasions.

The issue of structural reform was raised. This is important. Deputy Billy Kelleher is particularly concerned about universal health insurance and that the report has not yet issued and that the model has not been agreed to. It is described in the programme for Government as a multi-insurer model. The universal health insurance group is advising us on the best way of implementing it. The funding was always going to be a combination of insurance premiums and central funding to allow for community rating and risk equalisation. Legislation on risk equalisation is before the Dáil as one of four separate health related Bills. The Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, will outline the reasons the long-term illness legislation has been delayed. As the Attorney General would point out, this has transpired to be difficult legislation because we are moving from an income threshold assessment of eligibility to disease entity eligibility criteria. This task has proved to be more complex than was originally expected. However, the funding issues can be addressed.

On who is responsible for what, Mr. O'Brien is the Accounting Officer for the HSE and responsible for the budget. I am accountable to the Oireachtas for it.

I will answer the questions from Deputies Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Healy before deferring to the Ministers of State, Deputies Alex White and Kathleen Lynch, and Mr. O'Brien. I will refer the questions on the roll-out of bowel cancer screening and the plan to widen age groups to Mr. O'Brien.

In regard to the candidate colonoscopy units, top of the list is Cavan General Hospital. The list also includes Kerry General Hospital; Louth County Hospital, Dundalk; Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore; Ennis General Hospital; South Tipperary General Hospital; St. James's Hospital, Dublin; Wexford General Hospital; Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown; Letterkenny General Hospital; Mayo General Hospital; Mercy Hospital, Cork; Sligo General Hospital; St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin; and Tallaght hospital, Dublin. Mr. O'Brien will deal with the question in a more comprehensive fashion. He will also speak about our readiness to deal with referrals.

In regard to the issue raised in question No. 21 and the comment that there is no floor for staff, there is, particularly in respect of mental health services. I will refer this question to the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and Mr. O'Brien.

Deputy Healy asked about a public inquiry. I have dealt with that issue. If I set up an inquiry, I do not think I would have the power to compel witnesses to appear before it, whereas the HSE has such powers because the individuals concerned are its employees and it forms part of their contracts. I would have to pass legislation to give me the requisite powers, which would only create further delay. I ask that the HSE be allowed to get on with its inquiry which I believe is independent and let us see the results and the level of transparency before we make further demands for inquiries.

I am not sure what question the Deputy was asking in regard to the significance of the budget, but he alluded to the number of trolleys. The budget presents a real difficulty for us, but we are meeting the challenge. We have addressed many of the inadequacies in the HSE identified in the Ogden report by implementing the measures it recommended. Mr. O'Brien can speak further about the issue. Notwithstanding reductions in budgets and personnel, the men and women working in the health service have not only maintained a safe service but have improved it, with a 25% reduction in the number of patients on trolleys, an 85% reduction in the number of patients who have to wait one year or longer for inpatient treatment, a 91% reduction in the number waiting nine months or longer and an 18% reduction in the number waiting three months or longer. The number of children on the waiting list for inpatient treatment has also decreased by 1,800. For the first time we have defined the full outpatient waiting list. At 385,000 people, it looks like a staggering, almost overpowering, figure, but it is not. We will deal with it in a fair fashion and the same way as we addressed the issues in emergency departments and inpatient treatment. It should be borne in mind that 200,000 people are seen as outpatients every month.

The report on hospital groups is to come to me through Mr. John Higgins. I have to remind people that the hospital groups will operate for a trial period of a couple of years and that there will be plenty of time to report on problems and find out what works. It will be 2015 before hospital trusts are formed. These are the legally binding institutional arrangements.

I will refer the question on the Hospital of the Assumption in Thurles to the HSE. I know there were plans to make funding available to address issues in the hospital. I made it clear at the meeting that I would seek to have beds reopened on the basis that it was a modern facility and that we needed rehabilitation services. I did not specify the number of beds at the time, but Mr. O'Brien may have something to say about the matter.

I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, to address the questions on the long-term illness legislation.