Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not mean to show disrespect to the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy Seán Haughey, but it is outrageous that no representative of the Department of Health and Children has attended this adjournment debate. The health issue I am raising is very important and the Minister for Health and Children and the many Ministers of State at that Department have shown total disrespect for it. I am so angry that I am considering whether to raise it at all. When Ministers will not listen to what is happening, it is no wonder my constituents are finding that people in the health service are hanging up when they call.

I wish to raise the issue of the transportation of patients to hospital appointments. A march was held in Castlebar on this issue some weeks ago and the Health Service Executive gave a commitment that people with cancer, and others, would be taken to their hospital appointments, but this is not yet happening. Yesterday morning I met a very sick person who was waiting on a call from the Health Service Executive but did not receive it and so had to cancel a hospital appointment. The option of using a private transport operator is now being pushed. Constituents of mine must get up at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. to be in Bangor by 6.45 a.m. and in Castlebar and Galway by 9 a.m. and 11a.m. Last week a patient with leukaemia arrived at the hospital at 9 a.m., got treatment at 10 a.m., was violently sick at 11 a.m. and had to wait until 3 p.m. for the return bus service. In the end he went home using private transport because he could not wait.

The Health Service Executive is not taking people with cancer to their hospital appointments. Yesterday a wheelchair-bound constituent of mine tried to get on a privately operated wheelchair accessible bus but could not do so and had to cancel her appointment. Shame on the Government and shame on the Health Service Executive.

There was a very good service until two years ago but Mr. Bonner, who has responsibility for the Health Service Executive in this regard, has destroyed the service because he will not help sick, weak people travel to their hospital appointments. He has attended committee meetings here in the past and he will come in again shortly. We cannot expect people with leukaemia, cancer and those on social welfare to cancel appointments. There will be a situation like that in Portlaoise and people will die, but Mr. Bonner does not care because he and his staff have a jeep for emergencies that has televisions, television cameras and radios; it cost a fortune and might never be used. People are missing their hospital appointments because of this issue.

I am disappointed that neither the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, nor one of the Ministers of State at her Department has attended this debate. I know they forwent their pay increases today but she is still on €230,000 per year and the Ministers of State are on €170,000 or €180,000. They should be here tonight to listen. The HSE will not listen but will hang up phones when people call and will not bring them to hospital appointments. I will raise this issue on the Order of Business every morning until it is sorted out because it is shameful that we cannot bring sick, old and weak people to their hospital appointments. Shame on the Government and Fianna Fáil that they have failed to ensure the provision this service.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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This is the case all over the country, including Donegal. I know an old woman with Alzheimer's disease who needs to travel 65 miles for treatment and is affected by this issue.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will take the adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The Health Service Executive, HSE, provides transport to hospital appointments for patients who, because of the nature and extent of their illnesses or disabilities, are unable to use conventional modes of transport. The type of transport provided depends on whether the person requires transport by ambulance. Ambulance transport is prioritised within the categories of emergency, urgent and non-urgent. The HSE's ambulance service is complemented by the use of private ambulance services when necessary. Where there is no need for ambulance transport the HSE uses other vehicles, including taxis, to provide transport for patients. This service is also complemented by the use of private hire operators and this has been the case for a number of years.

The HSE is currently conducting a major review of the patient transport service and this will extend to the entire country. It is anticipated that the outcome of the review will inform the development of a more comprehensive national patient transport policy. Ultimately this will lead to a more equitable, integrated, needs-based service.

In general terms, the purpose of the patient transport service is to enable appropriate integrated care services to be provided. While many patients can readily avail of the standard service, it is sometimes necessary to put in place specific arrangements to meet the particular needs of individuals. In particular, the HSE recognises that some oncology patients may require specific transport arrangements and these will be considered on the basis of individual needs.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State but his answer was rubbish and a waste of time. I will raise this matter on the Order of Business and cause such a row tomorrow that the Government will know all about this issue.