Phil Prendergast (Labour)

With regard to the proposal for 12 days' unpaid leave in the public service I wish to comment on how it would operate in the nursing profession where there is a policy of summer closures in different hospitals, specifically in South Tipperary General Hospital where nurses routinely take unpaid leave and often at the end of a period of maternity leave. Therefore, this arrangement is already in operation in many places.

I was forced to cancel some of my clinics because of the flooding which continues to be an horrific experience for many people around the country. I met many clients who are very concerned at any intention by Government to cut child benefit as it will mean the difference between working and not working for such people. It is well documented that an unemployed person is more costly to the State than a person who continues in employment. The decision to stay working can hinge on as small a sum as €10 or €15. It has been proven by research that each unemployed person costs the State €20,000. I do not regard this proposal about child benefit as being progress and it will affect disadvantaged people.

I ask for a debate on a report in today's newspaper which shows a 70% drop in the times of waiting for operations. I am being parochial in this regard but this statistic is not the case in the south east as yet because no one I meet in my clinics has experienced any lessening in waiting times. I suggest this drop only applies in Dublin or the bigger centres or the centres of excellence or whatever one wishes to call them but it has not reached the sunny south east just yet.