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

We have referred to the fair deal scheme problem in detail in a previous question. When one adds all the waiting lists together, there are 76,666 patients waiting for inpatient, day case or gastro-intestinal procedures, according to the most recent report from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF. The Minister is as aware of the figures as I am.

We cannot just acknowledge that it is bad and might get worse before it gets better. We need to see some clear commitment on how it will be addressed. We cannot tell people live horse and eat grass or if they hang on long enough, they will be seen to. The Minister needs to outline a roadmap and accept that additional resources are required and the Economic Management Council has to support the Minister in announcing additional funding in advance of the panic stations between next October and December with a supplementary budget landed in to the Dáil at the end of the year to keep the show on the road. The Minister needs to achieve a sustainable funding model so that he can plan for the crisis situation of waiting lists and people on trolleys.

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