Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate a matter of major national importance, namely, the scandal of 63 beds lying idle in Mayo General Hospital, 33 of which are orthopaedic beds, which we are told will never open because the hospital is awaiting sanction of staff, and another 28 of which are elderly medicine beds while two are palliative care beds. These have been lying unused since 2001 while 30 ill older people lie for days on trolleys, blocking corridors and over filling cubicles in accident and emergency departments, due to the failure of the Minister for Health and Children to lift the embargo on recruitment so the 13 nurses required to open those beds can be recruited.

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