Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this very important motion which I will be strongly supporting it as it focuses on what is really going on in the health service. I also commend my colleague, Deputy Billy Kelleher, for bringing forward this excellent motion which hits the nail on the head in respect of three very important issues with which I will deal.

The Government needs to wake up, listen and look at the real reform agenda needed in the health service and the urgent need to place patients at the top of the agenda. Let us look at the context and details of the motion. The health service is underfunded. The 2015 HSE national service plan is not sufficient to address fully the increasing demands and demographic pressures placed on the hospital system. The key targets set in the plan are regarded as unrealistic by its authors. We call on the Government to fund the health service appropriately and sufficiently in 2015. This will take leadership and tough decisions. Tax cuts while children are ill, senior citizens are lying on trolleys or people with disabilities are without a proper service should never be an option.

That is the tough decision we must make on behalf of these people. We have to put our citizens first and the well-off further down the list. Of course, no Government will accept this or take the tough decisions in the interest of the patients. The reform agenda can be knocked down to a number of key issues. First, the Minister should allocate any extra moneys to accident and emergency departments to get senior citizens and sick patients off trolleys and into proper beds. The issue is a shortage of beds. Second, the Minister should focus on respite and residential care and providing adequate services for people with disabilities. I welcome that €20 million will be spent in this area but, as Deputy Ó Caoláin noted, we need between €30 million and €40 million. I welcome this debate and urge all Deputies to support Deputy Kelleher's motion.

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