Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I wish Dr. Connor, head of the special delivery unit, well in trying to address the difficulties in the system. However, while the special delivery unit, in the context of Northern Ireland, did initially create a positive momentum that has, in recent times, slowed dramatically for a number of reasons. In putting the emphasis on increasing capacity in the public health system, the use of private care was reduced. This appears to be the reason for the increase in the number of patients waiting more than three months to be seen. The figure in respect of people in Northern Ireland waiting more than three months to be seen increased from 17,000 in 2009 to 26,000 in 2010. This means, in the context of the Republic, that we have performed better than has Northern Ireland, even with the establishment of the so-called special delivery unit.

Some €29 million was taken from the National Treatment Purchase Fund budget to assist in the establishment of the special delivery unit in the Republic. How will this shortfall of funding be addressed in the context of private care in the delivery of outcomes?

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