Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

People will be outraged at the contrast between the conditions endured by patients in emergency departments on the Government's watch and the Comptroller and Auditor General's report that HSE managers are claiming public money for nights in five star hotels, flights for guests and alcohol on trips. The audit report also found that a former retired employee was rehired on a contract of six hours per week for a salary of €156,000. That should be compared with the plight of those citizens who are prevented from going home because the Government cannot give them the financial support for a home care package or basics like a grab rail or other appliances. It is little wonder that people are angry or cynical when they hear the Taoiseach and his health Minister. The Government allocated a mere €25 million towards extra nursing home beds under the fair deal scheme. In my constituency, the Government closed public beds.

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