John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I raised on the Adjournment the withdrawal by the Health Service Executive of discretionary medical cards from cancer patients. This is one of many serious issues in the health service. The main issue with the HSE, however, is its creation and the fact that it has turned into a complete waste of money, as acknowledged by everyone from the Minister down. I read in the newspapers this morning that the HSE or Minister has decided to appoint more managers to find more savings in the health service. The number of managers created in the HSE in the past ten years is the root of the problem. It is ridiculous that more will be appointed in an effort to solve the executive's financial problems.

I reiterate the call I made last week for a debate on health matters. As far as I can discern, Ministers in the Department of Health are not managing but delegating work to managers who are being paid €150,000 per annum. This is ridiculous and lies at the root of the problem. Ministers need to take stock and get rid of these guys. When I was employed by a health board in the 1980s, staff officers made decisions. The small number of section officers in place then have gone by the wayside as they no longer make decisions because one must now be on a salary of €150,000 to make decisions in the health service. We will soon have to appoint a super-duper manager to oversee the work of all the other managers. Eventually, he of she will get rid of all the managers. The current position is outrageous. I call for a debate on health matters at the earliest convenience in order that we can solve some of the problems in the health system.