Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is a concern that the country's best performing and most strategically important hospitals are being hit with massive budget cuts. St. James's Hospital is to face the biggest cut of €9 million and it is hard to understand how it will cope with the pressures given the case mix of that hospital. The allocation appears to be more about getting rid of the deficits of existing hospitals. Where does the community budget within the HSE lie? Sums of €5 million are being taken from Temple Street and Crumlin children's hospitals as well. The health (amendment) Bill is due but it must broaden its compass in terms of eligibility and community issues.

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