Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Fitzmaurice rightly says action speaks louder than words. It is true. There are now 700 more professional nurses working in the public system than just a year ago. When one comments on the work of any nurse, one should think of the output and productivity of 700 nurses in addition to those who were working in the system last year. There are 35,163 whole-time equivalent nurses, by comparison with 34,400 just a year ago.

I pointed out to the Deputy the reduction in the waiting time for the fair deal scheme from between 16 and 18 weeks to between two and four weeks. That frees up a couple of hundred beds. The Minister has secured extra funding for the health sector this year, with 300 beds to be opened before Christmas and a further 100 to be opened in January and February. That has to have an impact also.

On the Deputy's point on the management of people, it is of course the case that the health sector right across the board has a part to play, as do consultants, surgeons, nurses, carers and backup staff for professionals in the system.

The Deputy talks about the west. The Minister put in place the medical evacuation helicopter. I know of a case in which the helicopter flew from the far-flung regions of the west to Galway in 14 minutes and saved a person's life. These are developments that are never commented upon because they are advantageous and they benefit those in circumstances such as those of the good lady who was to have the hip operation.

See this speech in context