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

I understand the costs might be significant, but the value of these workers must be acknowledged by the country. I know the budget needs to be stretched considerably. The cross-border health initiative has not been properly discussed. The Minister has said the HSE is looking into this, which concerns me particularly when I consider how admissions were closed for 16 or 17 days at Bantry General Hospital, and how South Doc has been withdrawn from the people in Castletownbere. If we leave things to the HSE, we could be in serious trouble not getting the funds these workers need.

There is another issue with visiting patients. People are not allowed visit their partners in maternity units. Nobody can visit the elderly and infirm. I have received many calls regarding elderly people who cannot have somebody by their side during very serious times of their lives in hospital. At the end of the day, the healthcare workers have proved themselves to be invaluable to the country and they need to be looked after. I leave it in the good hands of the Minister that he will do that for them.

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