David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That may be the case but he can certainly refer them to the Minister for Health. The Minister of State came to the House to take this serious matter on behalf of the Minister.The Minister for Health must be aware of what happened in Waterford last week. I am sure the Minister of State will accept that it is unacceptable that patients were diverted from a regional hospital because of capacity and funding issues. These are ambulances carrying sick patients which are told to bring those patients elsewhere. It is not good enough and it is all down to capacity. My questions for the Minister of State and the questions which were tabled are as follows. What are the current waiting times? What are the most current figures and has there been any improvement? Some patients in Waterford were diverted to Mullingar for treatment at a greater cost to the State because they could not be treated in Waterford. The Government is making a mockery of its own policy on patients being seen in their own areas where possible and within 12 months. It has tried to massage the figures as we get close to an election and is putting more pressure on patients. I am asking for the most up-to-date figures. Let us see if there has been any improvement since the last time I raised these issues some months ago.