Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Will the Minister confirm she wrote to the chairman of the HSE, Mr. Liam Downey, as regards the executive's national service plan? In the course of that correspondence, did she express concern over shortfalls in services to be provided in 2008 under the plan, especially in the whole area of mental health, as Deputy O'Sullivan has indicated, as well as primary care? How is the service plan target to reduce inpatient numbers in 2008 reconciled with the failure to improve primary care? Does she not agree that without the promised roll-out of primary care centres, there will continue to be an inordinate demand on acute hospitals? Does she not accept that, as Minister, she must approve the service plan for the HSE each year? If she is as discomfited by what is being proposed, should she not have taken steps to reject the plan and put the responsibility back on the HSE to present an initiative in keeping with the Minister's alleged intent?

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