Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Yes, we must approve them. That has been the procedure since December 2006. Notwithstanding the need for that approval, the numbers seem to be ahead of expectation. I have asked for an explanation of that from the HSE.

We must be fair to those hospitals which are currently living within their budget. Hospitals such as the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, notwithstanding the huge increase in births, the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick and Waterford Regional Hospital can live within their allocated budget. We expect other hospitals to do so. The ratio of nurses to patients in Sligo is 1.8 per bed while in Waterford it is 1.3 per bed. Perhaps the general practitioners should look at some of these issues.

Spending on health has increased by 370% in the past decade, which is seven times the rate of inflation. The British Government is talking about a targeted increase in health spending of 4% above inflation. Unless we live within budgets, the health system has the capacity to be unsustainable and to damage the economy. We must all recognise that point. This should not be incompatible with providing services.

If patients are fit to leave the rehabilitation hospital and others need to go in there, it does not make sense for that not to happen. The HSE has confirmed that homecare packages will be made available so that patients can return home from the National Rehabilitation Hospital and others can be admitted there.

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