Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

For the third year, the budget for this region will be reduced, this time by a further €120 million. Is the Taoiseach aware that the plan expects up to 400 staff to have retired by the end of this month, as well as a cut of up to 561 staff jobs? Is the Taoiseach aware of the plan to cut 205 long-term beds for older people's services? The two nursing homes in the constituency I am honoured to represent, St. Joseph's Hospital in Ardee and the Cottage Hospital in Drogheda, are being considered for closure. Across all services, from mental health to older people and hospital services, one cut will be heaped upon another in the north east region, which has seen the largest increase in population since 2006. This will be replicated across other regions. Does the Taoiseach agree that this depth of cut to the health services is unsustainable? How can the health service deliver safe and effective care with this level of cuts?

See this speech in context