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

I will come in with several quick questions. Having waited this long, I will try to exert what little influence I have. We need to change the system a little. Committee meetings are long and drawn out and this room is extraordinarily cold. I am freezing to death down here, but perhaps it is only this part of the room.

I will take written answers to the following questions. St. John of God's services are being discontinued from next year. What preparations are being made for the replacement? When will know exactly what it is and will it be sufficient to meet the requirements? Those requirements are growing as opposed to otherwise.

What stage are we at with cervical cancer screening and bringing that up to date with the results of tests and continuous screening? To what degree are patients continually informed, do they have to wait or are they asked to wait longer?

There are huge gaps in the system relating to child mental health. That is worrying. I have never seen it so bad. Are there imminent signs of putting a system in place that responds adequately to the level of demand in respect of child mental health at the present time?

For children with special needs, such as those with autism, are there any plans to ensure continuity of services and various therapies and that there is not a tail-off? At the moment, if a therapist goes on maternity leave there is no service for the child, which is a huge break and setback to the treatment level because the patient or child then regresses. That is not fair to the child.

The progress made towards the targets set has been raised by a number of speakers already. Is the progress to date in line with, ahead of, or below expectations?

The Chairman will be pleased that this is my final question. I was one of the people who pressed strongly for a new regional board system when Sláintecare was under discussion. The new board of the hospital has now been set up. How is it interacting with the regions and services generally, nationally, and throughout the regions? Is it interacting sufficiently? Are there any weaknesses and has the progress to date been indicative of a movement towards responses to the issues about which practitioners on the ground have been complaining? I thank the Chairman. I will take written replies to all those questions.