Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome any investment that improves the situation for the people of Cork and the wider Munster region who rely on the services of CUH. Perhaps the Minister could provide more detail on the 30 additional acute medical beds that are scheduled to open in CUH later this year. Those beds have the potential to be of significant benefit. I have highlighted the problems that have been encountered by many elderly people. I am informed that 330 people over the age of 75 had to wait in the accident and emergency department at CUH for more than 24 hours in the first three months of this year. I am sure the Minister will agree that this is not acceptable. I am currently dealing with a case in which an extensive home care package of over 40 hours a week has been approved for a person who is in hospital but would be far better off at home. The HSE has been unable to execute the home care package directly through HSE staff, or through private care providers, for several months now. The capacity issue in this case seems to be a real problem.

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