Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I wish Mr. Gloster the best of luck with his retirement.

Are census figures used to forward plan? If we examine the figures and percentages, we know the number of the kids with disabilities. That was not done years ago but it would have been critical. We did not forward plan enough. I acknowledge we cannot plan for everything, but particularly with third level education places, we need to ensure enough people qualify.

I do not expect the witnesses to know the answers about St. Joseph's campus in Longford where we have St. Joseph's Care Centre and primary care unit. I am working with local HSE officials because we had a recent issue that they were considering removing the physiotherapy department from Longford and bringing it to Westmeath. The people of Longford would have to travel to Westmeath. As of today, I am hopeful that we have had a solution in the past 24 hours to keep it there. This followed a HIQA report on the care centre that recommended the removal of physiotherapy services from the care centre, yet the physio was giving a service to the patients there. Day patients coming into the primary care are entitled to this. HIQA officials need to concentrate on issues not being handled correctly, rather than removing a service where a great service is being provided. I wish to put that on the record for the staff in St. Joseph's. I ask the witnesses to come to back to me on the provision of primary care centres in the regional towns in the county of Longford. They are all at a certain point and they seemed to have stopped. We need them. I wish to see them progress. I acknowledge Mr. Gloster cannot provide an answer today.