David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I support Senators' calls for the Minister for Health to attend the Chamber. It is beyond a joke that, week in week out, Senators from all parties ask that he discuss with us the important health issues at play in hospitals across the State. A number of weeks ago, I raised the issue of the impact of the public service embargo on health services. I will provide an example to which the Leader can respond. In County Waterford, the budget for community services has overrun by €3 million, resulting in 22 beds being removed from community care for the elderly. St. Michael's ward, a long-stay geriatric care facility in Dungarvan Community Hospital is to close because agency staff are being let go.

As I stated several weeks ago, the embargo is forcing hospitals to close wards because they cannot employ regular staff and must take on agency staff.