Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will follow up on some of the previous questions. I welcome the progress indicated on the carrying out of an audit to find out where the deficiencies are. Provided it is followed up, that will be bring fairly dramatic results. There is not much sense identifying where the deficiencies are unless there is something done to address them. I realise the audit is being done in the context of preparation for Sláintecare, which is to be welcomed.

Is it possible to identify emergency space that may be needed in the event of there being unforeseen demand during the winter period, for example, if we have a prolonged winter or prolonged illnesses? It is possible to do this everywhere, including in hospitals. Is it possible to provide for such an emergency plan while remaining within budget?

On the question of unqualified doctors who have been reported, surely the Medical Council has as stringent a system as other professions have for dealing with these matters and is at least as well qualified as their counterparts are in other areas. Why does the system not work? Nobody should get through. In other professions of which I am aware, the council governing the professional body does let anyone through unless he or she is fully and properly qualified. I would like some comment as to why that is not happening.

Home care packages are in considerable demand. I have stated over the years that home care does not come cheap. It does not come free either and that was never expected. An expectation has been created that it would be much less expensive than other options. It is not cheap, but it has to be done and is part of the jigsaw. If this piece is not put in place, some other part of the system will bear the brunt of the problem.

I have two other questions, one of which is parochial. I am loath to be parochial in these matters but I could not allow the issue to pass since virtually all other hospitals in the country have been mentioned already.