Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. I also welcome the Minister's initial comments in terms of what she proposes to do in the future. I would like to address the North Eastern Health Board area. It is interesting that of the €85 million recently allocated not one penny was allocated to the North Eastern Health Board region, an area along the Border which is supposed to benefit from Government, international and peace initiatives. I question the Government's commitment to the Border region when it makes no effort to assist it when it has money to spend.

The population of the North Eastern Health Board region has increased by 12.7% since 1996, the highest population increase in the country. From 1971 to 2002 the population increased by 40.7%, beaten only by the Dublin health board area. There has also been an increase of more than 1,000 in those aged 85 years and over. Care of the elderly is therefore significant in that region. Last but by no means least, the region has the largest number of asylum seekers per capita than any other part of the country. Providing for such a population costs money, yet the North Eastern Health Board area was left €42.5 million short in the last budget. While that shortfall was based on historical reasons, if one bases it on actual statistics the region was left short €130 million. While I often criticise the activities of the North Eastern Health Board, one has to remember that without money it cannot provide services.

The average per capita allocated to the North Eastern Health Board region for 2004 is €1,591 — the national average is €2,018 and in the Dublin health board area it is €2,362, leaving the North Eastern Health Board region short on average €427 per capita. We also have the lowest ratio of staff per patient. While I criticise the administrative staff level in the area, one has to take into account those figures produced independently. At least 300 extra beds are needed in the region, yet we have been promised only ten day beds at Monaghan General Hospital with money allocated and 19 extra beds in Cavan General Hospital with no money allocated.

I apologise if I was emotional when the Minister of State, Deputy O'Malley, was making his contribution. However, I have very good reasons for acting that way. The Minister of State spoke of the reduction in the number of people on waiting lists. As my colleague, Deputy Neville, said, the Minister of State did not refer to those awaiting placement on waiting lists. I asked the previous Minister, Deputy Martin, what it costs to send a person and his or her spouse to Birmingham or elsewhere in the UK for treatment under the national treatment purchase fund when the particular treatment could be undertaken in Monaghan General Hospital were it not taken off call. The theatre and staff at that hospital remain idle. I do not suggest the national treatment purchase fund is not a good scheme, but surely we should utilise what we have before spending such money.

We need somebody to oversee how money is spent, an issue which brings me to speak of the Cavan-Monaghan region that I represent. I am somewhat amazed by the motion tabled by the Independent group. I support it in principle but I cannot believe the hospitals of Cavan and Monaghan have been left out of it and that it has been signed by my Independent constituency colleague, Deputy Connolly. Cavan and Monaghan have had the most serious problems in the country, highlighted in the news and by the Independent Members of this House, but facilities in Ballinrobe, Tuam and across the country are mentioned here with no mention of the need for an upgrade for Monaghan Hospital.

In case anyone thinks everything is all right there, I refer to the fact that the previous Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, issued a statement at the eleventh hour in which he thanked Deputy Connolly for being constructive. The bottom line is that the previous Minister can make a statement but the new Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, tells us the facts. She told us in no uncertain terms that there will be no CAT scanner and that only limited money is available. Above all she tells us that Cavan General Hospital, as part of the configuration of services, will have the possibility of 19 beds examined. This is a serious situation. There is a crisis in the north east that could be solved in the morning if the initiatives were put in place to allow Monaghan General Hospital to reopen. I welcome the discussions between the health board and the consultants to bring about a level of agreement but this package must be delivered.

The Government promised to provide 200,000 additional medical cards but took away 100,000 in seven years. Of the 100,000 medical cards that have been taken away, 6,035 were in County Monaghan, which has a population of 50,000, while in the former Minister for Health and Children's constituency in Cork, 8,000 were taken from a population of 500,000. Why have I had to raise the issue of medical cards so often in this House? It is ludicrous, mean and unacceptable.

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