Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

Every week since I have come up here, I am consistently raising issues pertaining especially to the peninsulas that I have named, Iveragh and Dingle. I am also a member of the joint health committee, and I am consistently raising the issues there as well. It is every week, as there is always some issue. By and large, it is in relation to staffing, be it for home care, daycare, primary care, palliative care, mental health as I mentioned already, or respite. Beds remain unopened in both the West Kerry Community Hospital and Cahersiveen Community Hospital. As I mentioned earlier, patients are being relocated to community hospitals far away and families have to spend half a day travelling to see their loved ones. It is not good enough. For that matter, these two areas in particular seem to have more problems than any other part of Kerry. I ask the Minister to look closely at the issue and to carry out a pilot study. It is the very least that the people of Kerry deserve. Everyone should have access to the same level of high quality service as people who are living in our capital. I ask the Minister of State to ensure that this matter is taken on board. I would like to see both Corca Dhuibhne and Uíbh Ráthach being used for pilot studies for the benefit of the entire country.

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