Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I wish to share time with Deputy Doyle. Many promises were made before the last election, including the Taoiseach's promise that frontline hospital services would not be cut. I was almost beginning to believe it but this has gone past cynical politics. Concern is growing about the impact of the staff cuts involving 30 nurses and four consultants in Sligo General Hospital.

I congratulate Deputy Devins on his appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children. He said he was uncomfortable about the job losses and that while the HSE told patients that care would not be affected, the staff told him a different story. Will the Minister of State tell the Minister how much these staff cuts affect patient care in Sligo hospital?

There have been far too many cutbacks in the west. I have often raised the issue of the reduction of transport for patients to and from hospitals in the Mayo, Galway and Roscommon region. The old health board seems to still have autonomy and has drastically cut transport for ageing patients. Will the Minister examine that issue immediately?

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