Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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We spoke about productivity and savings. Mr. Gloster mentioned occupational therapists, OTs. Recently, I dealt with a case of an 83-year-old man who is trying to get access to a wheelchair. He needs a referral from an OT. He received a letter stating it will take two years or more to see the OT. He was then given a leaflet about the private purchase of equipment such as rails and wheelchairs, private rental of wheelchairs, private purchase of portal ramps and so on. The difficulty is that he is 83. He is not getting any younger. He needs to get access to an OT but he has been told it will take two years or more. Mr. Gloster said that productivity is a big challenge. Is that an unusual case? Is it particular to an area or is it common across the State?