Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like some clarification. I spoke about budgets two weeks ago. They are confusing. It is important to get figures from the nine CHOs and break them down because cuts are happening even though we have been told that is not the case.

One of the transition and transformation requirements is that hospitals must close in order to free up resources to provide community-based care. Recently, in my own area of Carlow-Kilkenny, St. Dympna’s in Carlow closed, as did St. Brigid's in Galway. The witnesses gave all the figures, although those figures only go up to 2016. In Carlow-Kilkenny, people now have to go to St. Canice’s. I am a firm believer in having community-based services. Does the HSE believe that, by closing all these hospitals, it is providing the service that people need? We have to accept that there are long-term patients but there are also short-term patients who need to go into hospital for, say, a month or two weeks. We need to get clarification on that because it is a major concern for people.

Regarding CAMHS, there is only one pilot under way, which is an advocacy project in CHO area 2. When is that to be rolled out to the nine CHOs? It is fine to say “We are working on it” but this is needed now. I have a concern when the HSE keeps saying money is not a problem. Every area is affected and we all need to make sure this happens in all of the areas.

On homelessness and housing, the witnesses say that the HSE is working through local authorities for people who need to go back into houses, which is excellent. What measures are in place? Does the HSE buy or rent houses? I know from dealing with people that there are many who are renting but who are confused and do not want to stay where they are. Who decides where they go? Is the HSE buying or renting houses and what agencies are involved in this? I ask that the witnesses clarify those three issues.