Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not want any more figures. I know what is happening on the ground. The people of Kerry are just as entitled to their sight as those from any other part of the country. We told the Taoiseach about the Sligo model where someone who presents with a need for regular treatment will be seen in six weeks. If it is more serious, they will be seen after that in 12 weeks and if it is more serious again, they will be seen after in six weeks. Why can we not have that model in Cork and Kerry? Deputy Michael Healy-Rae has raised this several times and it must be more of a problem in Kerry because I do not hear Deputies from any other part of the country bringing it up.

Home help hours are not being provided on Saturday and Sunday and I do not want any more figures from the Taoiseach on that. They did not get hours on the bank holiday Monday just gone and they have not got them on any other bank holiday Monday, which is not fair.

The Taoiseach states it is up to the local manager, but local managers tell us they do not have the funding. There is a Minister and four Ministers of State with responsibility for health. Get them to check it out and see what is happening. Money has been given to the HSE but we are not seeing results. The Government and Ministers with responsibility for health should ensure these services are given to the people fairly and that they are looked after properly.

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