Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

In the past I raised matters relating to the provision of health and social services, airing certain doubts regarding the ability of the HSE in the delivery and provision of such services. I ask the Leader to get us some kind of briefing document in regard to the expenditure of approximately €20 billion on health and social services. We should also have a breakdown of front line staff compared with administration and management. People have brought to my attention a number of occasions where there appears to be managers, secretaries and various administration personnel put in place but when the front line provision of service is sought, we are told there is a reduction in the number of hours provided for home help, for example, or the availability of a physiotherapist etc.

One must question the basis of these decisions and before we do so we should get some kind of a briefing or breakdown on the total budget and staffing at administration, management and front line levels. The Leader has not come back to me although I have asked him about the medical card issue and if he could get clarity on what is happening. My understanding is that medical cards were to be brought under one roof and existing staff were being redeployed. I could not figure out the savings involved.

As I mentioned last week, it has been brought to my attention that more agency staff are being brought in to man this new centre for the processing and administration of the medical card section, with front line HSE staff being redeployed. I do not see where there is a saving in this or where a benefit accrues. Will the Leader advise on this?