Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

To repeat myself, the Health Service Executive contracted with the private nursing home sector for 1,050 extra beds last year. These have been put into the areas of greatest need, particularly Dublin. The plan is to provide 360 extra beds this year, the large running costs for which have been provided. The Health Service Executive proposes to expand public capacity by 446 beds this year and a further 414 next year, the resources and staff for which have been made available.

Every year for the past ten years there has been a significant increase in consultants, specialists, nurses and related staff. At times there is a difficulty in recruiting for those posts and in retaining nurses, particularly those who are recently qualified and wish to travel for a period. Many come back here but not all do. There would be fewer problems if none of them went but that is life. There is no restriction on them which creates some pressure. Many non-Irish staff work in the health service because of that shortage. We have increased the capacity in paramedical, medical and nursing schools in recent years and provided resources.

In recent years 800 new staff have been appointed in the cardiac services under the cardiac health strategy. These include 19 consultants, 81 cardiac specialist technicians, chest pain clinics, fast tracking of patients through accident and emergency units and specialist cardiac services which have been either opened or greatly expanded in Cork, Galway and Dublin hospitals. Cardiac diagnostic tests have increased by 40%, coronary artery interventions by 153%, cardiac rehabilitation is provided in 29 hospitals compared with 12 six years ago. It is no longer the case that 75% of people awaiting cardiac surgery wait for a year or more. That figure now is under 20%. Most children had to wait a long time but now the waiting list is short. Those are the facts.

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