Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for Health and Children for attending this debate. This is my first contribution in the House and I look forward to engaging with the Minister on this issue.

There has been much discussion of cancer services in the regions. In the south east, which includes my own County of Waterford, there is a well documented deficit in public radiotherapy facilities and cancer services. Commitments were made by the Minister and others in Government that a satellite centre for such facilities would be provided at Waterford Regional Hospital by 2011. It has since emerged that this date has been pushed back. I did not hear Professor Keane's comments this morning but I plan to ask him whether there is a particular implementation date for the national cancer strategy. That is what is of concern to citizens.

I agree with Senator Prendergast's comments on breast cancer screening services in the south east. Commitments were given that BreastCheck would be in operation in the region by this October and that the recruitment of radiographers and other staff was under way. Has the recruitment freeze affected those commitments? Is consideration being given to the provision of screening for testicular and prostate cancers? Men are in need of such services just as women require a comprehensive breast cancer screening service.

I am particularly concerned about the provision of neurology services in the regions, including the south east. The Comhairle na n-Ospidéal report of 1991 and its subsequent report on neurology services in 2003 included specific recommendations that there should be one consultant neurologist per 150,000 head of population. In the south-east region, which has a population of almost 470,000, 55,000 people are estimated to be affected by neurological conditions. Some 4,000 of those are being treated in centres in either Dublin or Cork. Round trips of more than 220 miles are often involved, with patients travelling for more than eight hours in one day. These are patients with debilitating illnesses such as motor neuron disease and Parkinson's. The Minister must agree this is unacceptable. It is an unbearable situation for affected families.

Four consultants have been recommended for the south-east region but, to date, only one consultant, Dr. Paul Crowley, has been appointed in a temporary capacity. He will require support staff such as a clinical nurse specialist, occupational therapists and administrative support. Will those limited services be affected by the recruitment freeze? They are not sufficient to meet the capacity requirements and the problems in this regard will continue.

Fine Gael agrees that the health service must be reformed and become more efficient. However, we must also have a more accountable public service and be more responsible in our approach. We do not agree with reducing front-line staff numbers while the service is bloated with managers and administrative staff. There is a better way of doing business. We expect responsibility, accountability and delivery by the Minister and the staff of the HSE on behalf of the citizens of this State.