Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)

Is mór an scannal é i ndáiríre go bhfuil naoi leaba folamh in Áras Mhic Dara cé go bhfuil 12 duine ar an liosta feithimh mar go bhfuil cúram ón áras sin ag teastáil go géar uathu. Bhí geallúintí ón Rialtas air seo cheana. Teastaíonn gníomh anois ón Rialtas agus ón HSE. Agus muid i mbun plé anocht, tá na naoi leaba sin folamh agus, ag an am céanna, tá 73 duine ar thralaithe san ospidéal i nGaillimh. Ní dhéanann sé sin ciall ar bith. Tá tuilleadh brú á chur ar an ospidéal agus brú á chur ar dhaoine atá ag iarraidh a gcúram sláinte a fháil níos gaire don bhaile. Ní scéal nua é seo. Tá feachtas ar siúl ar An gCeathrú Rua ar feadh na mblianta. Anois, tá Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte ag rá linn gur fadhb foirne é agus nach mbeidh na leapacha sin oscailte go dtí an t-earrach ar a thúisce. Teastaíonn gníomh láithreach.

It is an absolute scandal that we have nine beds empty in Áras Mhic Dara in Carraroe tonight while 12 people are on a waiting list waiting to get the healthcare they need from the áras. There had been promises on this from the Government previously. We now need the HSE and the Government to work together to try to resolve this immediately. While we are having this debate here tonight, there are 73 people on trolleys in University Hospital Galway. That is 73 people who are unwell and need care. They are getting that care but they do not have beds. All the while, these nine beds lie empty. It does not make sense at all. I am sure the Minister of State would agree that situation does not make sense. It is also just wrong. There has been a long-standing campaign in Carraroe to see this facility used to provide the capacity that is needed for the community but now we hear from the HSE that these beds will open in spring at the earliest. That is just unacceptable. We need urgent action now. I hope the Minister of State can give us some news today.

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