Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This was at a cost, by the way, of an additional ¤12 million. The HSE had to find the money. Mr. Brian Gilroy had to write to the Minister for Health and point out that if he was to do this work he would need more money and, lo and behold, the Minister found the money. Where is the money for the 200 people with chronic epilepsy who are waiting to be monitored? Where is the money for the adult mental health services across the country, including for Cúram, which I have mentioned in this House and raised directly with the Minister? Where is the money for that?

Deputy Reilly got away with his primary health care centres and we all know that was one of the biggest strokes we have ever seen. Now Deputies Hogan and Howlin have questions to answer. How did they deem it appropriate to announce these two hospital improvements in advance of the HSE board actually approving them? What are they going to say on this? I am sure I will probably get the same answers as those given to my colleagues in the Dáil yesterday, which were flippant, glib and did not address the question. I ask the Deputy Leader, Senator Bacik, if she is happy with the way Wexford and Kilkenny were bumped up the list. Is she happy with the way the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly operates his Department and with the fact that he treats his capital budget like a slush fund? He uses it to give out money to his friends in Cabinet, who then announce improvements to facilities in their own constituencies to the detriment of other people around the country who are waiting. I would also like an update on the position regarding the epilepsy monitoring units in Cork and Beaumont Hospital. Is the Government going to leave the 200 people with chronic epilepsy with no monitoring services? Is it going to waste money sending them abroad to receive treatment they could receive here in Ireland?