Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Much debate is taking place on social welfare and health care. On the issue of health care, Health in Ireland: Key Trends in 2012 shows the changes which have occurred. We speak negatively in respect of the health care system here but we need to look at the positive aspects. There has been a 36% reduction in the number of deaths as a result of heart attacks, stroke and certain diseases and an 8% reduction in the number of deaths from cancer while at the same time the health service has continued to grow in terms of providing services. For example, the number of day procedures has increased from around 350,000 per year to more than 880,000 per year, a 149% increase. Also the number of outpatient visits to hospitals has increased from 2,185,000 to more than 3,583,000 per year, a 64% increase in outpatient appointments in a 12 month period. While there has been ongoing criticism of the health service and the services provided these changes have occurred. In the debate we need to look at the positive elements. I accept we must continue to improve the service but let us not forget the progress made. In regard to foreign aid, I have visited a number of countries and has been in hospitals where the basic essentials are not available, such as electricity and water supply, and where HIV is running at 40%. In one country that I visited there were 700,000 children under the age of 12 where both parents had died as a result of HIV; that is the difference between what we are dealing with in our health service and what those countries are dealing with in their health service or lack of health service. It is important to consider those issues on any debate on social welfare or health care.