Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Denis O'Donovan and Marc MacSharry referred to hospital waiting lists, with particular reference to children awaiting an appointment. Given that the Minister for Health is in Brussels today attending a meeting of health Ministers, I cannot accede to the request to amend the Order of Business to bring him to the House for a debate on this issue.

Since the special delivery unit was established by the Minister in July 2011, significant progress has been made in reducing the number of patients on hospital trolleys and on waiting lists. For example, by the end of last year, there was a 98% decrease in the number of people waiting more than nine months for an inpatient or day case appointment, a 95% decrease in the number of children waiting 20 weeks, and a 99% reduction in the number of people waiting more than 13 weeks for routine endoscopies. The early months of the year brought severe pressures on emergency departments, which had an impact on waiting times.

The Minister for Health has set a target of eliminating inpatient waiting lists of over eight months by the end of the year. The increase in 2013 was as a result much greater than expected, with a 16% increase in total numbers waiting between December 2012 and July 2013. However, through the sustained intervention of the special delivery unit, the trend is now reversed, with a 5% reduction in total numbers waiting and a 42% reduction in number waiting over eight months since end of July 2013. As of 21 November 2013, 3,393 people had been waiting more than eight months. A range of actions are being undertaken to assist in meeting this year’s target, including the use of the €18 million intervention fund to meet the target, developing and monitoring special plans with hospitals where elective waiting lists are under pressure, identifying increased capacity and capability across hospital groups, increasing operating theatre lists, the development of a national analysis of risks affecting hospital and specialty-level performance, the agreement of mitigation plans with hospital senior leadership, and direct interventions at site level in some hospitals where there are particular challenges. One cannot say the Minister is not acting as much as he possibly can. To have one child on a waiting list is unacceptable, but the Minister is doing his utmost to solve the problem. I hope we can have him in the Chamber before we break next week. Senator Bacik pointed out that the Government is committed to plans for a national children's hospital. It is something the Minister should debate with us so that he can outline the progress made in that regard.

Senators Bacik, MacSharry, Cullinane and Mullins spoke about Nelson Mandela, a wonderful man and an outstanding statesman of our time, who was dedicated to peace and reconciliation. Forgiveness is the word used most often in describing him. I agree that we should have a debate, which Senator Bradford also called for. I suggest that we amend the Order of Business and have tributes to Nelson Mandela from 9 p.m to 10.30 p.m.

Senator Quinn proposed an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 14 be taken before No. 1. I will accede to that request to amend the Order of Business. I note his points about the Food Provenance Bill and I will seek an update on it.

Senator Whelan referred to school costs. He rightly pointed out that the Minister for Education and Skills is requesting schools to start balloting parents on uniform policy. The move is aimed at giving parents a greater say on the uniform, if any, that a school should have and tackling the high cost of some uniforms. Schools have been sent a ballot paper on school uniforms to issue to parents. The survey was developed in consultation with the education partners and asks two main questions: whether parents want the school to have a uniform and, if so, whether they want generic or bespoke uniforms. Schools are being asked to send the surveys to parents by February to allow boards of management time to consider the results and to make any changes warranted by September. That is to be welcomed by everyone.

Senator MacSharry referred to the Local Government Bill. It is planned to deal with all Stages of the Local Government Bill next week, with Second Stage on Monday and Committee and Report Stages on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

I assure the Senator that the debate on the Bill will not be guillotined and that we will have an adequate debate on it. We will see what progress we make on it next week.

Last week Senator O'Brien asked for an update on the pyrite Bill and I indicated that it would not be with us before Christmas. However, I understand the Cabinet has agreed that the Bill will be published and that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is anxious that it be taken next week in this House. I will examine that possibility.

I agree that a great deal of legislation is being packed into a number of weeks which is not desirable, but we have experienced this year after year in the House. It is not acceptable to have so much legislation being put through the House. There were weeks when we were begging for legislation and could not get it. We will do the best we can in progressing the Bills that will be brought before us this week and next week, but I have no intention of rushing any of them through.

Senator Colm Burke has pointed out in the context of the health service that 12 kidney transplants were carried out in four days last week. That is testimony to the wonderful consultants we have in the health service. While we may speak about their salaries and so on from time to time, their excellence in carrying out such transplants and the other work they do needs to be recognised.

Senator Sean D. Barrett referred to the Smithwick tribunal's report and the issue of an integrated Border intelligence unit. I note his points in this context regarding Canada and the United States. I assure him that we will have a debate early in the new year on the report.

Senators Aideen Hayden and Trevor Ó Clochartaigh referred to the report on direct provision by the Irish Refugee Council. We had a debate on this issue previously. I agree that we should probably debate the report early in the new year.

Senator David Cullinane referred to top-up payments. The Government is concerned about this issue and will take action in this regard. I do not propose to accept the Senator's amendment to the Order of Business on the Irish Language Commissioner. I addressed the issue on the Order of Business last week.

Senators Michael Mullins and Terry Brennan commented on the ESB dispute. The settlement is unqualified good news at this critical juncture in the country's economic recovery and at this critical time of the year. The unions and management deserve credit for ending the uncertainty that threatened disproportionate damage to the country's best interests. I compliment everyone involved, in particular the Labour Relations Commission.

Senator Paul Bradford called for a debate on housing and urged caution on the issue of house prices. I have requested that the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government come to the House, but she will not appear prior to Christmas. I hope she will be present early in the new year.

I accept Senator Feargal Quinn's amendment to the Order of Business. Tributes to Nelson Mandela will be taken between 9 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., with all Senators having five minutes to contribute.