Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Last Wednesday, Deputy Kenny asked if we could give a greater sense of urgency to the implementation of the ten-point plan and to dealing with the excessive number of people who, unfortunately, are wrongly waiting in some of our accident and emergency units. More than 1 million people a year use accident and emergency units, which is approximately 3,500 people a day. In spite of the enormous resources and huge improvements in many of the hospitals — the new accident and emergency units in St. Vincent's hospital, in Cork and Blanchardstown, and stand-down beds in many other locations — there are still problems in some areas.

Last week I told Deputy Kenny that the Tánaiste was about to set up a task force of some of the key specialists involved to try to complete the implementation of the ten-point plan in the areas that are not yet done and to try to get better co-ordination and co-operation across the medical and nursing sectors to resolve the difficulties. We have put in the resources, as I indicated last week. In the areas where there are still difficulties, the Government has made clear we are prepared to put in extra resources. I pointed out that many of the key hospitals have put forward short-term, medium-term and long-term plans. Many of the short-term plans are complete, like the one I mentioned last week in the Mater, and other units have opened up. Some medium-term plans have been implemented and others are being implemented — the issues are resolved in the areas where they have been implemented. There are some long-term ones that are still required. I pointed out that in many of the hospitals, this year will see additional beds.

I made the fair and valid point as to why we are still having difficulties despite having put in so many resources. As I said last week, the admissions in the early months of this year have been up by more than 20%. We have an older population, who, in the obvious sense, require better services. In the early weeks of this year, we also had the flu difficulties and the winter vomiting bug which affected and closed down units in some areas.

See this speech in context