James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The plan is seeking a reduction of 33,313 emergency admissions and a reduction of 54,000 in-patient procedures, all of which is to be compensated by a small increase of 10,569. The arithmetic does not work out.

When one compares the figures for planned in-patient surgery for January 2010 in respect of people waiting in pain to have gallstones removed, to have hernias repaired or for knee or hip replacements with the figures for 2007, 2008 or 2009, the reduction has been huge. I spoke today with a Dublin surgeon who told me all surgeons are experiencing a reduction from eight to one cases per day owing to the unavailability of beds. This plan will further reduce the number of beds available.

While the Minister did not mention a figure, the one being bandied about in terms of bed closures this year is 1,100. There is no question but that this will impact negatively on patients. The Minister must know how many beds are to be closed. I am sure she can confirm whether the correct number is 1,100, which is the figure being bandied about. When will the Minister focus on sorting out hospital inefficiencies rather than on cutting services and closing beds?

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