Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon.

I welcome this motion noting the deteriorating health service. It is wrong to state that the Government's health strategy is a success. It has deteriorated since the general election.

I live in a small town in the west of Ireland. Last Thursday I left the Seanad to drive home, like most Senators do. I went to an arts auction, 10% of the proceeds of which were donated to the Marie Keating Foundation. I then realised that there was no BreastCheck service in the west of Ireland. The auction was a great occasion. I was very impressed that this brilliant foundation was trying to provide the much needed service. The foundation has three fully-fitted mobile information awareness units, but surely this is a service which should be provided by the Department of Health and Children, not only in the North Eastern Health Board, the Midlands Health Board and the Eastern Regional Health Authority, but nationally. Irish women, especially those living in the west, are more likely to die of breast cancer than their counterparts in the east of Ireland or, indeed, in continental Europe.

We were promised a comprehensive health strategy to end waiting lists. This promise lacks credibility. I acknowledge that the Government has tackled the problem. I was glad to hear last year that the number on the waiting lists fell from 31,000 to 26,000, but this is little consolation to someone who has been told he is No. 26,000 on the list.

The Plunkett Home in Boyle looks after elderly people very successful. However, the town went without a physiotherapist for a full year because the Western Health Board could not recruit one who was willing to locate there. As a result, many hundreds of people went without primary care and physiotherapy.

We have a two-tier health service. The poorest, who have the greatest need of health care, often get the worst deal. Morale in the health service is at an all-time low. The Government pumps millions of euro into the health service but this is merely throwing money at the problem. Preventative care and health awareness are vital, but in my town we do not even have a leisure centre. Surely leisure activity should be the responsibility of the health service and should not be left to the education and other services?

Over-indulgence in alcohol and tobacco is creating a burden on the health service and these problems must be tackled. Last year we were told that 200 jobs must be cut in the Western Health Board. This is not the way to provide the care essential to a good health service. These staff cuts have affected the processing of medical cards and other essential services in the health service of which we are all part.