Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this issue as a Topical Issue matter. It was brought to my attention by Councillor Paul McAuliffe, who represents the Finglas-Ballymun ward in north Dublin, that an X-ray machine purchased for some €500,000 in 2006 as part of the fit-out of the health centre at the Ballymun civic offices has never been used. I had to read the entire Health Service Executive report on the matter before I could be convinced he was correct in his information. A spokesperson for the HSE, indicating that it was not financially viable to use the expensive scanner at present, further stated:

Following wide consultation with relevant clinicians regarding the X-ray machine, which was installed in the Ballymun health centre as part of the initial fit-out, it has been decided that in the current economic climate and with reduced resources, it would not be prudent to invest further in the X-ray facility... This decision was taken following consideration of the highly responsive X-ray service currently available, the fact that plain X-ray is only occasionally used in routine GP investigations and due to the potential waste involved in investing in a service that would result in the under utilisation of staff and the equipment.

The spokesperson went on to indicate that alternative venues had been explored but the costs associated with relocating the X-ray machine were, in the current climate, prohibitive.

There must be a further evaluation of the HSE's position in regard to the relocation of the machine. Surely this costly equipment could be put to good use elsewhere if it is not needed in the Ballymun area because of the X-ray services that are already available there. Has an evaluation been done of the depreciation to which the machine has been subjected and do we know how much it is now worth? Has the HSE undertaken an extensive review of potential alternative locations or considered the possibility of selling the machine? The Minister of State, Deputy Róisín Shortall, can rightly say this situation did not arise on her watch, but it is now her responsibility to find a solution to what is an appalling waste of public money. Councillor McAuliffe has written to the Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts seeking an investigation of the matter. In these straitened times, it is simply unacceptable that a machine worth up to €500,000 has been lying idle for six years. It is not good enough merely to have a statement from the HSE that the situation has been evaluated and it would be too expensive to relocate the equipment. The machine could be used elsewhere, or sold. What is certain, however, is that it should not be left to lie idle and depreciate in value in the years ahead.

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