Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on the closure of the Mercy University Hospital, Cork. I tabled a question to the Minister for Health and Children four weeks ago. She replied that it was a matter for the HSE. The HSE eventually sent a response but I decided to raise the matter on the Adjournment. Although it is no reflection on the Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor, whom I wish well, it is frustrating that the Minister who is directly responsible and who, in conjunction with the HSE, made the decision to close an essential ward of the Mercy University Hospital does not come into the House to answer important questions on the health and well-being of people in my constituency and the adjoining constituency of Deputy Clune, who is present.

The Mercy University Hospital took up the slack when the North Infirmary Hospital in Cork was closed in the late 1980s. This was a tragedy for the north side of Cork city but the Mercy University Hospital, located in the middle parish, took up the slack. Through the commitment of medical, nursing and non-medical staff, it delivered a service to the people of the area and never turned any paying or non-paying patients away from its doors.

To say that I received an answer is to be charitable to the author of the response. It was confirmed that the 31-bed St. Catherine's ward closed on 3 May 2008 and will remain closed until at least the end of 2008. This has resulted in the closure of 19 surgical and 12 medical beds. That will have a devastating effect on the health and well-being of people in my constituency and in the adjoining constituency that Deputy Clune represents. I take issue with the contents of the response. It is an insult to state that the plans were formulated with a view to maintaining all existing and essential services and minimising the impact on patient care. That is pure codswallop. The hospital is now being humiliated by the Minister, the HSE and the local senior management. This was done without informing public representatives, who cannot get information. The humiliation of the hospital was done in the interests of balancing the books.

Fianna Fáil made a big issue many years ago of health cuts affecting the elderly and the sick. That is what will happen in this case. To say that all existing and essential services will be maintained is untrue. In tandem with the closure of this ward, an accident and emergency unit that cost €5 million to build has been idle since January 2007. It will open on 1 June but will offer a service only during office hours. It is an emergency service but people do not meet accidents or have mishaps only during office hours. The claim in writing that all existing and essential services will be maintained is untrue. I will not say anything stronger than that because I would be reprimanded.

Having fulfilled its role through the years, the hospital is being humiliated. The response also stated that the local management board of the hospital took the decision to close the 31-bed unit. In theory, the board may have taken the decision but the gun was put to its head by the faceless people and some who are well known in the HSE. The choice was to close or face the consequences. To say that this was a decision made by local management is the washing of hands of responsibility for this closure, which will have a serious impact on people's well-being.

The HSE is running a dysfunctional system. It is out of control and has lost its direction. While people are suffering and administrators and medical staff are losing their jobs, Professor Drumm and his senior cohorts are taking their bonuses. If leadership is to come from the top, senior administrators and those who have failed to deliver should not take bonuses. This is a matter I will address tomorrow at the Committee of Public Accounts. It is a scandal that these people continue to take performance bonuses when services are not being delivered.

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