Phil Prendergast (Labour)

Last week I spoke about the dispute involving the Psychiatric Nurses Association and I am very disappointed that the HSE has not made any meaningful attempt to address the substantive issues. Claims to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board are assessed on the basis of societal norms, but the compensation scheme offered to psychiatric nurses represents just 12%-15% of that norm. The nurses are not looking for a Rolls Royce compensation scheme, but they are not looking for a yellow pack scheme either, nor do they want to be treated less favourably than any other human being. I urge the management of the HSE to meet soon, because there will be a further escalation of this action from next Monday. People that are greatly in need of professional standards of care will be very disadvantaged if this problem is not addressed sooner rather than later.

There are currently 3,598 children on a waiting list for adolescent psychiatric beds, yet we have only 12 such beds. The intention is to have 30 beds by the end of 2008. Those who need emergency treatment are seen and referred, but there are still almost 3,600 on that list. That is a sad indictment of the state of our health services. It needs to be addressed because there are people who cannot leave their children out of sight due to a fear of what might happen. We are constantly talking about suicide and so on, but that is cold comfort for those living with the threat of it at their door.

I wish the outgoing Minister, Deputy Brennan, all the best and I hope the new Taoiseach will choose a replacement who makes something very special of the Department and will give it a reasonable increase. The Arts Council has done a great job for the Government and it needs a Minister who will give a realistic re-appraisal of exactly what is going on and who will obtain realistic funding.