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

I am well aware of the figures. The last issue the Deputy mentioned was that of bilateral cochlear implants. I have made this one of my priorities, but we face an extraordinary challenge next year, in that we must save €660 million in the health service after having already saved €3 billion, 10% of our staff having left, an 8% increase in the population, a 2% increase in activity and demand last year and a 3% increase in admissions through emergency departments, from where 80% of admissions originate. We have a major challenge. As I stated at the conference this morning regarding the importance of the protocols on early warnings and sepsis management, at no point will I allow patient safety to be compromised. I must bear all of this in mind. This matter will be decided in the service plan.

Senator Burke referred to NCHDs, audits and contracts and vacancies in hospitals, but I will allow Mr. Tony O'Brien and his team to address those points.

Deputy Conway asked about the letters to the over 70 year olds. The HSE has been asked to draw up a communication plan in this regard and present it to the Taoiseach and me next Monday. Whatever else they are, people should not be afraid. I heard Deputy Ó Caoláin refer to a relative who may have Alzheimer's disease. I am sure that that person has relatives, carers and friends. If they know from radio advertisements and HSE representatives speaking on radio that these letters are nothing to be afraid of, only that they must be answered, people can be reassured. People should never be scared by a letter in the post. Historically, however, people have been. I will speak with the HSE about the language that was used in the letters. It should not be incomprehensible. It should be simple, in plain English and as short as possible. In absolutely no-----