James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I know the HSE has expressed serious concern about the impact of this industrial action. According to reports, staff are not checking patients' daily treatment appointments. In addition they are not answering phones or agreeing to the redeployment of staff and the change in working hours currently in place, and are not providing weekend on-call arrangements. This is having an extremely negative effect on patients. It is particularly difficult and stressful for those who are terminally ill. They may wish to attend a hospice and have the additional stress of not being able to get anyone to answer a phone for an appointment. They are consequently unsure wherever or not they can obtain such an appointment. The problem also extends to the wider area of making repeat appointments because may wish to check appointment details but cannot get through by phone. We will not digress into the argument about the centralisation of medical cards but it is similar. If people cannot get through they become frustrated, worried and concerned. What action is the Minister taking to guarantee the House that there will be no diminution of services and that this action can be addressed? What action is she taking to prevent the situation from escalating? I believe it is due to escalate from 1 March.

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