Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, 13 beds, at a time when the regional hospital is at absolute breaking point. I know that a Commission on Care for Older People has been set up and it is sort of pushing things. I welcome it and I look forward to its report and its recommendations but there is great urgency to that. We need to do something.

Generally on what is happening with regard to privatisation, it has led to huge problems with no continuity of care or with continuity in home care and, of course, we have never got the statutory right to care, which the Government promised. I believe that was part of the programme for Government. I note the Social Democrats have tabled an amendment to the motion and I fully agree with it. If I stay in Galway for my last couple of seconds and if the House forgives me for being parochial, if we get statutory home care and get the home care right and if we get public nursing homes, together with a number of smaller family-run nursing homes; we will balance up the health system and take the pressure off the hospitals that are at bursting point.

The situation in Limerick is so bad that it leaves Galway in its shadow, but Galway hospital is not much better. It is at crisis point every day. Again, there is no blame for the staff but the consequences for staff and, more importantly, for patients are awful. At the same time, there are 13 beds empty at Carraroe and beds empty at Merlin Park and elsewhere. I have no idea why Clifden hospital has closed when it could take the pressure off. I will conclude as my speaking time is up.

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