Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

After saying so much the Minister finally acknowledged that the acute hospital network was expected to function within a reduction of the order of what he stated was 2%, but it was stated in the health service performance report for January that at a minimum the reduction would be 2% to 2.5%. We already know that the acute hospital network is facing severe resource difficulties. Last year there was a Supplementary Estimate and we know that legislation has been passed whereby, allegedly, there will be no more Supplementary Estimates and that so-called overspend figures will be carried forward. This is only laying the foundations for a future crisis. There can be no other way to describe it. The report indicates that acute hospitals reported a €10.6 million deficit for January alone. I do not yet have the figures for February and March, but perhaps the Minister might. If he does, do they mirror the January figure? If that is the case, does it not tell him that we are simply not able to deliver even on the same level, let alone more with less? The heroic efforts of those working at the coal face on hospital sites face ever greater difficulties.

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