Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I welcome the motion tabled by my colleague, Deputy Reilly. As previous speakers said, Ireland has the highest incidence of cystic fibrosis in the world. The Pollock report outlined clearly what needs to be done. If anyone has any issue in regard to the needs that exist, all he or she has to do is to listen to the "Liveline" programmes of recent weeks to hear the appalling reports of people who must deal with this issue on a daily basis and how they must interact with the health service.

The basic issues which need to be addressed include single en suite rooms to prevent cross-infection. Everyone who goes into hospital has a huge fear of cross-infection and of being infected with MRSA. People are afraid to go into hospital as a result. I can only imagine what cystic fibrosis patients face given that they are prone to infection.

The funding allocated for cystic fibrosis is not being spent in that area. In 2006, some 57 additional staff were to be appointed in this area. One fifth of the budget for 2006 has not been allocated and the situation will be worse in 2007-08 with the ban on recruitment in the health service. It is not only impacting on cystic fibrosis patients, but it is also impacting on nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, home help, speech therapists and psychologists. It is impacting on the most vulnerable in our community. Elderly people who need one or two hours of home help per week cannot get it because the resources are not being provided.

Last week, there was the announcement about the redefinition of services in the north east. The same thing is happening in the west. This month, the Minister for Health and Children and the HSE will make an announcement regarding the review of services at the county hospital in Roscommon. It will probably see the transfer of surgery, accident and emergency services and intensive care services from Roscommon to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, where ward closures have already taken place. In December 2007, there were 102 people on trolleys in the state-of-the-art accident and emergency facility in Roscommon. We are now going to transfer those to the prefabs in Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe that cannot even cater for the existing demand there.

See this speech in context