Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Iarraim uirthi freagra a thabhairt dúinn maidir leis na pleananna fadtéarmacha le haghaidh Ionad Sláinte Béal Átha Seanaidh agus Ospidéal Leifear, atá á fheidhmiú ag Feidhmeannacht na Serbhíse Sláinte an iarthair. I am seeking information on the long-term future of Lifford Community Hospital and the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon. Through my colleagues in the Dáil, I tried to get an answer from the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, on the future of these facilities but have not yet received it. As a result of the pay cuts introduced by the Government, it is unlikely we will receive a reply from the parliamentary affairs division owing to the ongoing industrial dispute. This is an opportunity, therefore, for the Minister of State to clarify the positon on the long-term future of these facilities.

The Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon and Lifford Community Hospital provide vital services in their communities. There was a debate earlier on the high levels of unemployment and lack of investment in County Donegal. Public sector jobs are very important in the county, even though many of them are at the lower end of the wage scale. They are a crucial lifeline for the county, which is not to take away from the services they provide, particularly for the elderly. Earlier I looked at a report on Lifford Community Hospital which outlines the capacity and usage of the hospital. There is 91.1% usage of the facility, while the total number of bed days in 2003 was 13,296.

In recent days a number of people have approached me with the suggestion that the future of these facilities is in question. I make no judgment on the validity of that suggestion but this debate offers the Government an opportunity to allay their fears. Some of the staff are also concerned about their positions and this issue will undoubtedly become a source of concern and speculation among the wider community as time passes. This is an opportunity, therefore, to put the matter to rest. I am hoping to receive good news from the Minister of State in that regard.