Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

The motion gives every Member of the Dáil an opportunity to vote tomorrow night for the suspension of the unsustainable cutbacks to front line health services. We in Fine Gael believe that there are significant savings in the manner in which the Health Service Executive is run. I will return to that later if I have time.

First, I will deal with the situation in Galway with which I am most familiar. Does the Minister realise the hardship and suffering her policies, implemented through the Health Service Executive, is causing to the people waiting in vain for treatment? Does she know or care that 140 bed places are closed in the Galway hospitals, University College Hospital, Galway, and Merlin Park University Hospital? Does she know that there are 29,402 people on the outpatient waiting list in Galway? They would half-fill Croke Park on a good day, perhaps a Leinster final or semi-final. The figure last year was 23,000 indicating an increase of 9,400 in one year. A breakdown of the waiting list shows that 4, 755 people are on the waiting list for ear, nose and throat operations. Some patients have been waiting four years for an operation. A total of 4,224 people are waiting for approximately four years suffering in vain and in pain. There are 3,214 people on the waiting list for dermatology operations. A total of 2, 337 people are waiting for neurology operations. There are 1,900 people on the waiting list for general surgery. I could give more statistics. The figures I have were provided in response to a question asked by Councillor Pádraig Conneely, chairman of the board of Health Service Executive west. There are several other minor waiting lists as well.

The Minister must establish her moral authority in this matter. In our FairCare proposals we will pay hospitals per procedure carried out rather than the current system of a block grant no matter what work is done. There should be accountability.

A total of €10 million is outstanding to Galway hospitals from insurance companies. A further €5 million has been lost through absenteeism. Does the Minister realise that a 1% reduction in absenteeism would save €1 million? There are 460 personnel in the Department of Health and Children. What are they doing and how many of them are rewarded with bonuses on top of their generous salaries? The Minister must address the culture that has grown up in the Health Service Executive. She cannot put wine into an old wineskin.

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