Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I did not think I would get a chance to speak and I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence.

I would like to raise the issue of primary care teams and services. We all saw "Prime Time Investigates" last night and heard Professor Drumm clarifying his position this morning. If one were to listen to Professor Drumm one would think everything was hunky dory in this country. A number of primary care centres have been set up and teams put in place, but sadly there are two — in Ballyfermot and Athlone — which, according to a document I have read, are still in the planning stage. Since I became a Senator I have raised this issue on the Adjournment and on the Order of Business about ten times, but nothing has happened. In 2002 a site was purchased for a primary care centre in Athlone at a cost of €1.2 million, yet now, in 2008, all we have is a site with nothing on it.

Yesterday in my constituency I dealt with a patient who has a brain injury. He was in hospital for many weeks and after his release a primary care and rehabilitative team was put in place for six weeks. He received excellent care. However, after that, everything was cut. He now has almost no access to services. His family are rallying around and doing the best they can. He has two hours of services per week. This does not represent a primary care team working as it should. We also heard about the number of therapists who leave college with excellent qualifications but have no jobs.