John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Acting Chairman for allowing me the opportunity to raise this important matter for my constituents in Limerick. The HSE must immediately appoint a third geriatrician to the mid-west HSE region, with particular emphasis on that post being filled in Limerick Regional Hospital, which will complement the current service to that hospital and its associated hospitals, St. Ita's Hospital, Newcastlewest and St. Camillus's Hospital, Limerick.

For many years I served as a member of the Mid-Western Health Board. I consider that board to have been extremely responsible. It always lived within its budget and did its business correctly within the limited resources available. One abiding memory I have from my time on the health board is that successive CEOs consistently reported to the board that the mid-west region received less funding per head of population than any other health board.

Evidently the HSE mid-west region is still behind other regions regarding consultant posts across all disciplines, as it always has been. I recall being told while on the board that it was short five, ten or 15 consultants. Two consultant geriatricians are attached to Limerick Regional Hospital and its two associated hospitals, St. Ita's and St. Camillus's. They work above and beyond the call of duty. Both are greatly concerned about the care of an increasingly elderly population. I have personal experience of the work of one of these eminent gentlemen, David Clinch. I cannot commend him highly enough for his caring nature, the way in which he carries out his duties and the concern he expresses on a daily basis for the improvement of services in our region.

A recent report by the national task force recommends a total of seven geriatricians by 2009. That is based on a ratio of 1:50,000. We have three geriatricians, at a ratio of 1:85,000 which is 35,000 more elderly patients than is recommended. These figures indicate the elderly population of County Limerick is not given the level of service required and deserved.

I repeat the geriatricians in the region work above and beyond the call of duty in Limerick Regional Hospital, St. Ita's Hospital in Newcastlewest and St. Camillus's Hospital in Limerick. However, because of the lack of response to the repeated requests that a third geriatrician be appointed, these gentlemen must use some of their time lobbying public representatives, the local HSE and the Department of Health and Children. It is about time we answered that call. This proposal has been under active consideration for a period of time. The time is right to make a decision and to fill that post.

I fully understand the demands on the Department and the Minister from all sections. All I ask for is a level playing pitch and a fair slice of the cake for my constituents in Limerick West. I appeal to all concerned to hear my plea and ensure this matter can be dealt with speedily. The Tánaiste and the Ministers of State, Deputies Seán Power and Tim O'Malley, have my full support in a difficult job. I commend them for the manner in which they carry out their duties. Having stated that, I appeal again for this matter to be dealt with urgently.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Cregan for raising this matter and I am delighted to have the opportunity to reply on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children.

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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It must not be good news or else she would have been in.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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We give the Deputy good news occasionally on the Adjournment. The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the HSE which has responsibility for delivering its service plan priorities in line with the funding made available to it. I understand from the HSE that the situation at present is that there are four consultant geriatricians employed in the former Mid-Western Health Board, two in the Limerick area, one in Clare and one in Tipperary North. I also understand from the HSE that the employment of a third geriatrician in Limerick is under active consideration. We will keep the Deputy informed of any change in the situation. I realise he has taken an interest in this matter for a long time.

As the House will be aware, an investment package of €150 million in services for older people and palliative care over the years 2006-07 was announced in the recent budget. This is the largest ever increase in funding for services for older people and underlines the Government's commitment to older people and to putting them at the centre of health policy in the future.

This is a full year cost and is broken down into €110 million for this year and €40 million more for next year. This package is a developmental one and has a particular focus on care in the community, with over €100 million being provided to support home and day care, including respite care for older people.

Initiatives in this area include the development of the home care packages to enable older people to remain living in the community for as long as possible in line with their expressed wishes, an increase in the number of home help hours provided, an increase in day respite care provision, a significant increase in the resources available to the meals on wheels service, funding to support the development of sheltered housing, the further implementation of the report on elder abuse by providing for dedicated staff and a research function in this area and €4 million has been put aside for the development of proposals in the primary and community care areas which are new ways of delivering service and reflect best practice elsewhere.

The level and range of the investment package clearly shows the Government's commitment to ensuring that the care we provide for older people is of the highest possible standard and in line with their expressed wishes.