Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the comprehensive history of what has gone on but, unfortunately, neither of the two main questions was answered in the long response she gave. The budget is approaching and a proper one is needed, including for University Hospital Kerry. The hospital is at serious risk of being downgraded because it is underfunded, and the cost of the children's hospital will be a very significant factor in that. It is unfortunate that although this question was submitted three or possibly four months ago, and given the record number, the answer has come back only today. Still there is no answer to my two main questions.

To divert the issue slightly, there is a serious risk that Kerry General Hospital will be downgraded. There is no cardiology and little oncology. Rheumatology is gone. Pathology, nursing and radiography have all been outsourced. Ambulances often have to come from Dingle to Tralee if there has been an incident and somebody needs one. Research in infrastructure is gone and there is a fear among staff and the people of Kerry that the hospital will be downgraded. It needs to be fixed.

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