Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is a quick-fire round. It appears that the capital programme will be eaten up by the children's hospital. Will there be provision to progress the maternity strategy, which I have spoken about numerous times? The mid-west is waiting for a couple of million euro just to keep things ticking over and cannot seem to get funding.

I note the internal letter on opening up the new accident and emergency department in the mid-west. However, by the looks of it the HSE is very upset by performance levels there. The hospital population ratio in terms of those ages over 65 and 70 is very high compared to other areas, which might explain the situation. Things are still at crisis point given the fact that Ennis and Nenagh were closed and the proper process was not put in place over many years to ensure Limerick could deal with the number of patients coming into it. The Minister and HSE might reflect on that.

I refer to the process for the alignment of CHOs with hospital groups. I would like to hear comments on the court case between the HSE and HIQA regarding Ennis. My question on the winter initiative was taken up by Deputy Kelleher. Is there any progress to date on the GP contract?

I presume the Minister is going to honour the dates he has spoken about it regard to orphan drugs, about which we have and many debates. That should kick in next month.