Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I ask that the Minister for Health and Children comes before the House to explain recent severe cutbacks in patient transport services to hospital appointments, specifically in the Health Service Executive western region where residents have been brought to the nearest hospitals and health centres. In the past two months, I have encountered harrowing cases, including one of a 90 year old man who was refused transport to an appointment and one of a visually impaired man who was refused transport from the Mater Hospital in Dublin last week. Transplant patients have also been refused transport and old and vulnerable people are losing these services. The Minister should state whether this is a national trend or one that is confined to the HSE western region. It is incredible that I must raise this issue again. I ask that the Minister for Health and Children address it immediately.