Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise the important issue of providing a top quality health service at Beaumont Hospital. All Members have a duty of care to the vulnerable, the sick, the disabled, the elderly and the very young. If we do not do that, we will lose sight of our progressive vision for the country. That is why in my agreement with the Taoiseach I pushed strongly for support services for the sick and disabled. I could have moved in another direction but top quality, professional and caring health services must be provided for the disabled, cystic fibrosis patients and cancer patients.

I warmly welcome the additional cancer services for Beaumont hospital. I am delighted my local hospital has been designated a centre for future cancer care. It will service more than 5,000 people, many of whom reside on the north side of Dublin city. I raised this issue in my deal with the Taoiseach and it is covered in section 5 of our agreement. This represents a major investment in the north side and I urge everyone involved to get on with the job and to work hard in the interest of patients.

I also welcome the €850,000 allocation for a new day care centre at the Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf and the provision of an additional 255 residential places, 85 respite places and 535 day places for those with intellectual disabilities nationally. The total cost of these services will be approximately €45 million. I am delighted to inform the residents of Dublin North Central of these developments. I also addressed these priorities in my deal with the Taoiseach and they provide value for money for the taxpayer.

I look forward to further investment in services at Beaumont Hospital. The people of the north side deserve them as a right and I will not take lectures from politicians who talk down the progressive policies I am trying to have implemented. Major improvements have taken place in the accident and emergency department in the hospital in the past three months. Such departments on average deal with 3,300 people daily of whom 825 usually require admission. Patients who require admission sometimes have to stay in the accident and emergency department while they are stabilised, receive emergency treatment or undergo initial tests. On average 131 people attend the accident and emergency department at Beaumont Hospital daily, of whom 32 are admitted with two patients on trolleys for more than two hours and five for more than six hours.

I call on the Minister for Health and Children and the HSE to be more proactive in providing additional services for patients with cystic fibrosis. This is an issue I raised in my talks with the Taoiseach. It is raised in section 5(4) of my document of agreement which states we must increase and improve services to cystic fibrosis patients by designating a national centre. This is the way forward and action must be taken now. There have been enough talks and meetings. Cystic fibrosis patients cannot afford to wait any longer. This is one of my urgent priorities and I urge the Minister to fast-track these services. We must reach international best practice and standards for all cystic fibrosis patients and their families.

As well as a national centre, there must be increased local support in communities. Under no circumstances should patients be affected by problems in the HSE. I have made my views known to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance in recent days.

I thank and commend the staff of Beaumont Hospital. We all have a duty to support them and the great work they do. This support must be practical and take the form of adequate funding.

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