Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

I am telling Deputies the measures hospitals must take and we are working to ensure they take them. The Croke Park agreement has a crucial role to play in this regard. University College Hospital, Galway loses 25,500 hours per month through absenteeism. It is being asked to reduce it by 28,000 hours per month. All the problem does not rest with the HSE nationally or with the Department. There must be a greater emphasis on efficiency and effectiveness in each hospital to reduce absenteeism rates.

In response to Deputy Ó Caoláin, there is no suggestion that anyone would have to wait four years for that procedure. The National Treatment Purchase Fund is there in the event of a person having to wait three months. If it is an emergency procedure, it will be done immediately.

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