Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Taoiseach has rambled off into a number of areas about which I did not ask him. I referred to a particular announcement by the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, that he would provide a number of 50-bed community nursing units specifically for the purpose I have outlined. Not one of the beds has been provided, as the answer to a parliamentary question on 28 October makes clear, nor has any work been done — certainly not according to the reply — which suggests a breakthrough is imminent.

Why was it resolved to go down the PPP road? When will beds come on stream? The Taoiseach said he knows all about the issue and noted the Tánaiste is examining whether the PPP route is the correct one. Her predecessor made the announcement with much fanfare in July 2002. The Taoiseach seems to want to give the impression that he has just moved over to the Government benches and somebody on this side is responsible for this matter. I do not care when the Tánaiste became Minister for Health and Children. The Government has been in power for seven and a half years and we still have a crisis in the health service.

My questions relate to a specific announcement by a specific Minister. The Tánaiste, the current Minister for Health and Children, stated she would examine the matter in detail very soon. When will the beds come on stream? Where will they be? How many will there be? Why did the Minister go down the PPP route? Is the public land in question still available? When will the crisis in our acute hospitals be alleviated?

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