Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I accept that, but the resources allocated to Crumlin have also increased. There was an 18% increase in medical staff and there are also more day cases, which is much less expensive for a hospital than overnight stays. We are hoping to arrive at a situation in Ireland where about 85% of surgery will be done on a day-case basis. We are at about 62% at the moment. Professor Drumm will address all of these issues. I do not believe seriously-ill children cannot be treated within the budget framework for Crumlin hospital in 2009.

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