Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

I raised this matter last Thursday and it is recorded in the Official Report. I see my colleague, Deputy Dooley, is here to support me. I am delighted the Deputy has seen the light in regard to what is happening in the health services in Clare and is here to assist me. I hope he will not act the Opposition politician but will take political responsibility for this very important issue.

Health issues have been dominating the political agenda for the past few months throughout the county. There is a huge crisis out there. There is a crisis especially in our constituency of Clare. For years, the future of Ennis General Hospital has been called into question. I raised the issue on Thursday last, and particularly the concerns as to whether the €39 million redevelopment would go ahead. The crisis continues this week.

We already know that ambulance crews have been instructed to bypass the hospital for major trauma cases from 1 April. The elderly care unit at Ennis General Hospital has been closed on various occasions in recent weeks. There is a possibility that the unit will close again in the very near future because of cuts by the Health Service Executive. I have also heard that the hours for accident and emergency services are to be curtailed at the hospital. The situation is getting very serious for the people of Clare.

While 27 nurse vacancies have been advertised at Ennis General Hospital, unfortunately, approval has been granted only for six positions. As a result, I understand rosters will have to be changed to address this shortfall, which will affect the accident and emergency services. A CAT scanner, an outdated model, which has been promised for the hospital has not materialised. Ministers, the Taoiseach, our Oireachtas Members in Clare, including Deputy Dooley, are masters at turning up at photo shoots and sod-turning ceremonies. We had the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and the Taoiseach in Clare before the election telling us the €39 million extension was going ahead. Only last week, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Máire Hoctor, visited the constituency. Prior to the election, former Ministers of State at the Department, Senator Ivor Callely and Deputy Seán Power visited to announce the dementia unit. This is what is happening. We have plenty of photo opportunities and sod-turning ceremonies but nothing is happening in regard to the health services in Clare.

At the opening of the Cahercalla extension last week, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Killeen, said there would be good news for the health services in Clare. I am sick and tired of Hanly reports and Teamwork reports. It is time for the Government to come clean on this issue and tell the people of Clare that the €39 million extension, redevelopment plan for the hospital is going ahead. That is the reason I am delighted Deputy Dooley is present to assist me in this matter.

See this speech in context