Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have two questions, one seeking a debate and the other about legislation. We all know the fair deal scheme is under great pressure. We were promised a review. It has now been suspended in some parts of the country and is clearly in crisis given that people cannot have their applications processed in a timely fashion. The review is still ongoing. When will the health (amendment) Bill be published so that we can have a debate on the issue?

With regard to private health insurance, Colm McCarthy recently highlighted a report which shows private health insurance is in crisis and is collapsing around us. The Minister is bringing forward proposals on universal health insurance but the basic fabric of this proposal is falling asunder as we speak. Families are in genuine crisis trying to pay for private health insurance. This is in the context of the health (amendment) Bill. On the broader issue of health reform itself, a consultation process is taking place about hospital groupings and the small hospital framework. It would be timely for the Houses of the Oireachtas to have an opportunity to discuss this during the consultation process so we can feed into it. Many now in government opposed this policy when they were in opposition and we would like to hear their views on why they have done this volte-faceso we can clarify the Government's thinking on this.

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