Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)

I welcome this opportunity to speak on the Book of Estimates 2007. The finance spokespersons for all the parties have dealt with the global figures and macro-economic issues but like any Member of this House, I am examining the Book of Estimates from the point of view of my constituents in Kerry South and the projects and services which are in need of funding.

I wish to deal in particular with the health Estimates. The most notable exclusion from the list of capital project priorities for 2007 is the long-promised 14-bed extension to Kenmare Community Hospital. Members have heard me refer to this matter for many years now and I have no intention of giving up.

The extension to Kenmare Community Hospital was top of the list of priorities for the then Southern Health Board in 1999-2000. After a long campaign, dating back to the 1970s, the people of Kenmare hoped that the extension to their hospital would finally be delivered. Unfortunately, and for reasons that have never been explained, this project has not advanced one inch in the past six or seven years. The health board had allocated £2 million in 2000 but suddenly the project disappeared from the radar and yet again, despite repeated promises, the people of Kenmare remain in limbo. What happened to the £2 million that was promised in 2000 for the Kenmare hospital?

The project was included in the National Development Plan 2000-2006. We are almost at the end of 2006 but still there is no sign of the 14 bed extension to the hospital. The hospital provides a valuable service in the area. It has 300 admissions per annum for 24 beds. Ten patients occupy one ward, which is totally unacceptable. There are fewer beds in the hospital than there were a decade ago. The matron and the staff are second to none but are not being provided with the optimum nursing conditions or support from the Government.

I recently attended a public meeting on the matter in Kenmare. There is very deep anger and frustration among the residents of Kenmare. Despite many flowery promises from their local Minister and others not one sod has been turned or block laid. Many of the people at the public meeting were elderly and expressed concern that despite the Government's stated commitments to care of the elderly and the health services, they may not have a bed in the hospital when they need it. It is apparent from this Book of Estimates that the people of Kenmare must wait again.

The population of Kenmare has increased by 33% in recent years. In a recent worldwide survey, Kenmare was among the top five places to where people wished to retire. At a time when the population is increasing the number of hospital beds is decreasing. I would warn Ministers against going near Kenmare between now and the general election because if they do they will need proper answers for the people there on why the hospital extension has not been delivered after a decade of Fianna Fáil Government.

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