Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I appreciate that things have improved. If the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, can get more money for the Western Health Board, I will be glad if he invests it as soon as possible. I have been a member of the board for two of the last five years. There have been significant developments in the health board area during the last five years, especially increases in day activity cases and improvements in the accident and emergency units. In 2003, we exceeded 200,000 out-patient attendances for the first time. We have succeeded in reducing waiting lists by means of a combination of waiting list initiatives and the national treatment purchase fund. I am sorry there is a waiting list, but we have to have waiting lists in certain areas. Children are not waiting longer than six months for in-patient procedures and the orthodontic waiting list has been reduced.

I congratulate the Government on phases one and two of the development of University College Hospital, Galway. I was particularly delighted when the board purchased Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe from the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood in 2001. The hospital has a 206-bed acute unit and an eight-bed IPU complex. Consultant staffing has increased threefold and two further posts have been approved. I hope the posts will be processed soon and I am waiting for a letter from the Minister in that regard.

Senator Leyden spoke about matters relating to counties Roscommon and Mayo. I welcome the developments in those areas. Perhaps it is time for the Minister to come to the Western Health Board area to open some of the facilities that have been approved by his Department.