Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

The Minister promised 709 beds but they have not been allocated. Those beds were supposed to be the first phase of an additional 3,000 acute hospital beds, which were promised on the health strategy by 2011. However, given the pace and failure to deliver on the first phase, questions arise as to whether the Government will be able to deliver urgently on any of the additional 3,000 beds. It is a serious issue that the beds promised for 2003 are not in place.

In tandem with the accident and emergency crisis, community services are being cut. People regularly come to my office seeking carers and various allowances. Many acute admissions could be prevented and, in other cases, early discharge could be facilitated if the community supports were in place. Despite this, valuable community employment supports are being cut. Some 200,000 extra medical cards were promised at the last general election but, instead, over 46,500 medical cards were withdrawn. Approximately 20,000 people are now on hospital waiting lists despite a pre-election promise by the Minister to eliminate them within two years. In addition, community services for the elderly are being cut back. This is having a major effect on accident and emergency services.

Approximately €460 million worth of hospital facilities are lying idle because the Government has failed to provide the necessary money to open them. Process meetings have been held all over the country. We saw what happened during the local elections. There are facilities to be opened in Dublin, Mayo, Clonmel and Letterkenny. The opening of a €10.5 million orthopaedic unit at Mayo General Hospital has been cancelled due to lack of funding. The unit was due to be fully operational from 1 July but following developments in recent weeks, people are beginning to wonder whether Mayo will ever see orthopaedic services again. Two weeks ago it was announced that out-patients would be treated in Mayo General Hospital from 1 July. A date in September has yet to be confirmed for the commencement of services for in-patients.

In Dublin, most of a €96 million wing of James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown has never been used. In Ballymun, a brand new health centre, worth approximately €48 million, has been lying vacant since it was finished more than 18 months ago. During this time the Northern Area Health Board has paid an estimated €5.2 million in rent for the facility. I state again that if the health service were a private company, the CEO would have to resign. It is a mess. I am surprised to see an amendment to the Labour Party motion.