P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I also welcome the Minister back to her old seat as the Minister for Health and Children.

It is amazing that €25 million of the €71 million is to be returned to the Exchequer. Why was Bantry General Hospital's orthopaedic service withdrawn four years ago? While orthopaedic facilities had been available for years, they were withdrawn for some unknown reason. A minor fracture cannot be treated in that major county hospital. Fracture patients from the south-west Cork and south Kerry regions must travel more than 100 miles to Cork University Hospital for treatment. That should have been taken into consideration and that facility should have been provided.

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