Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

The Senator should look at what we have done with the service. There are Members present whose political parties had an opportunity to do some of what we have done in a relatively short period, but they failed to do so.

A number of speakers referred to primary care. Opposition parties when in Government had an opportunity to develop primary care facilities but did not do so. We have done it. We initiated a new direction in primary care. New supports have been put in place in regard to community structures. People harp on about the area of home help, but they do not refer to what we have done in other areas in terms of support structures.

I had the honour and privilege of launching a scheme recently which replaces a previous one where assistance was provided for a short period only, which may not have been of much use. We have moved on to a patient-centred system. That is the approach both at community and hospital level. We want to ensure that wherever the service is delivered it will be patient-centred and seamless. We aim to respond appropriately and adequately to patient need.

As Senator Maurice Hayes stated, there will be some tough and difficult decisions ahead. If, and when, we have to examine the appropriateness of a structure or a facility, I hope that all involved; stakeholders, public representatives, consumers and professionals will do so with a better understanding of the provision of our health service in its entirety.

There has been enough nonsensical talk about hospital closures. It is not my desire, nor is it that of the Minister or the other Ministers of State, to see the closure of any facilities. We would like to think that in the future our time in the Department will be seen as a period of great enhancement of service delivery and of the facilities that enable that provision of service in each community.