Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, I express condolences to Michael and the Collins family at this heartbreaking time. I thank the Rural Independents for bringing forward this motion.

Rural communities face unique barriers to healthcare. We have one of the lowest rates of GPs in Europe. I commend the people of Lahardane this morning on what they have done to retain the GP service within their community. They are an example to communities across this country but they should not have had to do that.

Those problems are even more acute in rural areas. Dental care for people on medical cards has collapsed. There are ambulance waiting times, emergency rooms waiting times, people in pain on trolleys, the loss of step-down beds in communities, such as Belmullet, and the fact the people of Ballina are still waiting to have their extension.

I will again raise the issue of rural transport for healthcare. I have been dealing with the case of a 46-year old disabled man who is non-verbal and has been in a nursing home for the past four years. He is on the fair deal scheme and it is topped up by his disability payment. He needed urgent dental treatment in Mayo University Hospital last summer. Keep in mind he has no source of income or savings due to his disability. He cannot agree to any decision on his health costs. He was transported by ambulance to Mayo University Hospital - an ambulance that had to be sent from Galway. Invoices for €2,275 arrived at the home of the man's elderly parents. This was all because he needed dental care. The parents were not consulted, yet they were sent the bill. Naturally, they were distraught. In desperation, they turned to social welfare for the exceptional needs payment. They were sent back to the HSE because it was not an exceptional need. I am now waiting for a response from the HSE. This is no way to treat the most vulnerable people. If I ask the Minister of State for one thing today, it is to please sort out transport for access to dental care and healthcare in rural communities.

See this speech in context