Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach regularly recounts his professional curriculum vitae for the House. From my point of view, the very fact that he is a medical professional, a doctor, and that he has worked in the public health system makes this all the more shocking and intolerable.

The Taoiseach has recounted the actions his Government has taken but the figures do not lie. In October, unless the Taoiseach contests the figure, 11,452 patients were left with no beds. Despite the list of actions he has set out, this is what we are left with. I am glad the Minister for Health met the CEO of the HSE but I would not hold out any great hope that much will come of that meeting. I have a suggestion for the Taoiseach. He mentioned 1 million additional home help hours but I suggest that this be increased to 2.5 million because that is what is needed to clear the waiting list. The 1 million additional hours will simply relieve the pressure regarding 40% of the waiting list. Let us do something radical and imaginative. Let us actually try something with a prospect of working and allocate the 2.5 million home help hours that are required.

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