James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

In regard to the variation between Tallaght and Mayo, hernias are more common among older people and I do not doubt social isolation, age, lack of carers and remoteness play a large part in explaining why patients cannot be treated on a day case basis.

Will the Minister acknowledge that the number of beds in the system has decreased from 18,000 20 years ago to fewer than 11,000 today despite a population increase of 750,000 during the same period? There have been repeated calls from this side of the House to provide rehabilitation facilities so that people can move to the next phase of treatment after leaving hospital. Last night in Beaumont hospital, 47 patients were lying on trolleys. Another hospital in Dublin had 175 people in what it called delayed discharge situations for up to nine months. The CEO of this hospital advised me that 30 of the patients could avail of rehabilitation services but that the remaining 140 would need long-term care. When pressed as to whether they received appropriate care at the time of discharge, he admitted that at least 50% of them could have gone home with the support of rehabilitation. Not only are we costing the taxpayer money, but we are also doing a terrible disservice to patients. I ask the Minister why she does not provide additional rehabilitation beds for the greater Dublin area, where they are needed.

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