Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have confidence that public private partnerships can and will deliver, with the necessary supervision. The Minister listed in his speech the improvements made since he took up the health portfolio, in particular the reduction in the number of patients on trolleys, the reduction in surgical waiting lists, the establishment of the office for clinical audit, the criteria for orthopaedics and so on. Many changes have been made. I commend the Minister on his work to date.

The Croke Park agreement has delivered in terms of the implementation of necessary measures. I am sure Senators Colm Burke and Gilroy, both of whom are also from the Cork area, will testify to the many changes that have come about in Cork in terms of reorganisation of health services there. We have been briefed by officials from the HSE on the successes achieved under the Croke Park agreement. Necessary changes, such as the movement of orthopaedic services from St. Mary's Hospital to the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital, would not have been possible but for the co-operation of staff as per that agreement. It has been successful despite the loss of staff. This needs to be repeated often.

I commend the Minister on the important work he has done to date. I wish him and the new Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, well and assure them of my support and, I am sure, of this House for the work they are doing. It is very important we move to the delivery of primary care in the community, taking the emphasis off hospitals on which we have been dependent for too long.