Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I appreciate that but given the proximity of the budget, I felt it was important to take this opportunity to say that, given the connection between the two.

We all know there will be a substantial cut to the health and education budgets. Deputy Willie Penrose tried to raise the issue of the hospital in Mullingar under Standing Order 32. I sympathise with him and his constituents because Louth County Hospital is about to lose all of its acute medical services to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, a hospital that does not have the capacity for those services. This proposal will leave a catchment area with a population of more than 100,000 people without acute medical services, accident and emergency cover or intensive care services. It is completely unacceptable.

If we look at the Adjournment debate matters and matters raised under Standing Order 32, we can see how Members are continually pleading for school upgrades in most constituencies. It is most unfortunate that the Government has not taken the opportunity to invest some funds from the National Pensions Reserve Fund in a school building programme. That would kick-start the construction sector, get apprentices and tradesmen back off the dole and would give our children the opportunity to be educated in schools that are fit for purpose instead of in draughty, damp prefabs. It is unacceptable that opportunity is not being taken.

I hope that the Government collectively has listened to some of the voices on this side of the House because there is a cohesiveness on education and health. Provision should be made to give the people of the State those services. We cannot talk about a knowledge economy while failing to address these problems. When there is no adequate IT provision in schools, we will not develop a knowledge economy any time soon. If the Government is serious about this, it is time to deal with those issues and I hope it will do that.

Unfortunately, there will probably be a further rise in unemployment, particularly among the under 23s. There is not enough provision in the education system or jobs for them. What will they do? In many cases, unfortunately, they will be sent back to the emigration boat, a scenario from the 1980s. That is regrettable, given we have had almost a decade of significant income streams to the Exchequer. They were not used for proper, sustainable infrastructure, but spent willy-nilly so it is no wonder that we are in this difficulty.

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