Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Seven weeks ago during Leaders' Questions, I raised the shocking treatment of the elderly in this country. Little did I know then the can of worms I would open. John Patrick Harrington, a 90-year-old man, left Bantry for a 1,000 km round trip to Kingsbridge Hospital in Belfast for a cataract operation, which was arranged in three weeks, whereas had he waited in Ireland, he would have had to wait three to four years. Since the story broke we have heard of consultants working 13 hours per week, and of women forced to sell jewellery and personal belongings to have a 20-minute simple cataract procedure. More than 8,000 people are seeking that simple procedure. Next Saturday, a bus full of older people will leave west Cork and Kerry for Belfast for cataract operations under the cross-border directive. The 13 people who will have operations on Sunday morning range in age from 65 to 90 years. Their greatest worry is they will go blind, as many getting the bus have waited for three years and cannot wait any longer. This is the first of many buses organised from Cork and Kerry. The next bus will be in early January and another will follow at the end of January.

I ask the Taoiseach whether this is the right way to treat some of the most vulnerable people in our society, who did get up early in the morning, who paid PRSI all of their lives and who, sadly, now realise it was all for nothing as the State would let them go blind rather than perform a 20-minute procedure. These law-abiding taxpayers, who contributed all of their lives to their community and the tax system, now realise it is a choice of going to Belfast this weekend or going blind.

Recently, a constituent contacted me regarding the situation whereby the person's father has been cared for by the person 24-7 for 11 and a half years following a devastating major stroke. The person's father recently transferred to a long-term care facility. It has now come to light that he is 100% blind in one eye and has only 30% sight in the other. This gentleman has lost his speech and ability to walk. Does he now have to face losing his sight also? He worked all of his life, paid PRSI and contributed greatly to his community. He is not well enough to be able to travel to Belfast. He has a medical card and private health insurance but there is nowhere for him to have this simple procedure urgently in County Cork. Does this seem fair to the Taoiseach?

Since my previous contribution on Leaders' Questions, I mentioned Bantry General Hospital and the major concerns the public had regarding the retirement of a surgical consultant. Thanks to raising the issue on the floor of the Chamber, the issue has been resolved. Bantry General Hospital is renowned for the excellent service it provides to the population it serves. Why must a bus leave Bantry at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning when a state-of-the-art theatre, which only recently received a major upgrade, is only partially used? Why can these simple procedures not be carried out in Bantry instead of inflicting this long and hard journey on older people? The theatre capacity available at present could be constructively used to address the backlog of cataract procedures in County Cork and parts of Kerry.

Since I spoke on this issue seven weeks ago, I have met credit union managers all over west Cork to secure loans for those who need them and who are travelling to Belfast. I have also met the Cork University Hospital group managers. These meetings have all helped me to progress this matter. What has the Taoiseach done to help the 8,000 vulnerable Irish people who face the bleak prospect of going blind on his watch? Has he met and engaged with the ophthalmologists who can work towards resolving the situation? Has he spoken to the HSE regarding a funding allocation for other hospitals similar to Bantry General Hospital throughout the country, which could provide theatre time to address the national backlog of cataract procedures?

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