Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for taking up my genuine concerns about capital plans adopted and pursued by the HSE. I acknowledge that the hospital groups were set up for the optimal configuration of acute hospital services in the interests of patient safety, as well as to achieve cost-effective patient safety. Unfortunately, until the boards are in place, we will not have the accountability and oversight over the HSE which is required.

I am horrified that in its review in 2014, the HSE could approve an investment of €5.4 million for a mortuary but that it does not have the vision or foresight to provide essential services. In the south-east region, we have patient apartheid whereby if one has a heart attack after hours in the evenings or at weekends, one does not have access to interventional cardiology. Somebody somewhere has his or her priorities wrong. My faith is still in the political system putting that right and that is why I raised the matter.I appreciate the fact that the Minister of State is not only taking it up on my behalf but also on behalf of people in Waterford and the wider south-east region. We must have oversight where it matters and bring these bureaucrats in the HSE to account. This Government is being blamed while the HSE is running amok investing in the wrong priorities.