Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. In part, it gives comfort that annual leave will not be lost by staff at the hospital. The issue of 1,700 hours for on-call work is another matter which the Minister should relay to the HSE to be clarified. As she said, these are the staff who have worked above and beyond the call of duty to provide care and ensure the theatre in question operated at premium capacity.

While the Minister of State did not say it, we talk in general about the cancellation of elective surgery as if it were not urgent. It is urgent to the person who requires it, particularly with gynaecological and cancer-related procedures. Will the Minister of State ensure the recruitment and training process continues unabated to ensure there is a return to full capacity at the theatre in question rather than patients having to travel to other hospitals in the region for surgery? We must get back to providing excellent care at University Hospital, Galway, which the staff want to do too. Will the Minister of State clarify the position on the 1,700 hours for on-call work?

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