Margaret Conlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I wish to point out some stark facts and offer a basis on how to move forward to improve our health service and especially to tackle the unacceptable threatened diminution in services. Spending on health has increased by 370% during the last decade, seven times the rate of inflation, yet the HSE in the north east is running at €26 million over budget and the Cavan-Monaghan group has a deficit of €9 million. How is this happening?

The Department's allocation is based on an approved service plan. Heath spending increased by 7% this year. Why is the HSE not running a service in the north east that provides high quality patient care within its budget? The memo leaked last week indicates that discussions to stem this deficit are taking place and the axe will wield on frontline services. There is no mention of cuts at administrative or managerial level. Nationally, there are 2.5 administrative staff for every doctor in the health service. The number of grade eight workers, such as managers, accountants and IT personnel, between late 2005 and 2007 increased from 521 to 713. I realise there is a need for support staff. However, evidence presented to me suggests that many of these are surplus to requirements.

The fundamental issue here is accountability of the Health Service Executive. We must hold this body to account. The crucial point that must be kept in mind at all times is that the HSE is seemingly wasting or misspending or misapportioning public money. One euro out of every €4 of tax for every man and woman is spent on health. I call on the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to claim back accountability for this expenditure.

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