John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make two interesting points. First, internationally, Ireland ranks among the lowest in Europe for urologists per capita. A recent European survey stated that there were only 23 urologists in Ireland representing a rate of 3.2 specialists per 100,000 males aged 40 and over. In Spain, the rate is 19 specialists per 100,000 of similarly aged males.

Hospital workers told me during the week that we could double the amount of urologists in Waterford and we would still not have enough to address the referrals. Does the Minister acknowledge that? I also understand that many patients who were on elective urology waiting lists had appointments cancelled because we simply did not have additional beds or theatre space. That has nothing to do with the cost of appointing a urologist. I am telling the Minister what staff in the hospital told me. Anytime I am in the hospital I speak to consultants and others about the relevant issues. They told me that the prime concerns are space, beds and ancillary staff. Therefore, even if we were to appoint urologists we do not have the facilities in place.

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