Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to express my sympathy to the husband, family and friends of Savita Halappanavar.

In 2013, savings on generic drugs will be in the region of €15 million. I expected it to be much more. I am delighted that private health insurers have agreed to make a one-off and up-front payment of €125 million. What will be done about the amount of money that remains outstanding?

There is a €400 million overspend. The Minister stated that the HSE's range of measures will reduce that deficit by the year's end. I am being asked about what those measures are.

I have asked the Minister to reduce the attendance fee of €100 at Louth County Hospital. On 29 June 2010, the hospital stopped functioning as an acute hospital. The paediatric, obstetrics and trauma services were transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. The hospital's opening hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., but there are rumours in the area that it will close at 5 p.m. seven days per week. If the fee was reduced, many patients would present at Dundalk, thereby helping with the trolley situation at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.