Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

Will the Government bring forward the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill? In common with all the other health spokespersons, I am very worried about what will happen over the winter months in respect of people's eligibility for hospital services. I refer in particular to people living in the environs of Navan and Cavan hospitals, as well as in the west, where people are losing their home helps. There is great concern that as the winter approaches, people who might be eligible for health services will not get them and that the entire system is breaking down. A debate on this issue is needed in this House and I suggest that were the Government to introduce the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill, Members would be able to debate such issues. Moreover, it must be debated before the introduction of the next budget because if the health budget is slashed again, the health services will not be able to operate.

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