Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the 24 Senators for their contributions on the Order of Business. Senators Gallagher and Kieran O'Donnell raised the important issue of motor insurance and the need to reduce the costs of insurance.Not only has the Minister of State, Deputy Murphy, who has responsibility in this regard, set up a commission to examine this matter, to be fair to him, but we have also seen for the first time in five years, according to the CSO figure, a 2.6% reduction in the cost of insurance on this time last year. I share with Senators O'Donnell and Gallagher the desire for more questioning of, and more accountability on the part of, the insurance industry regarding the cost of motor insurance. The Minister of State, Deputy Murphy, is committed to overseeing the implementation of the report and deserves credit and praise for his proactivity regarding the matter of motor insurance. I think we all recognise there is a need now for the motor insurance industry to be transparent and to be held accountable for the quotes it gives and costs it places on people.

The report of the working group has six main themes. The important themes for me are the protection of the consumer and reducing insurance costs, along with ensuring that insurance fraud is dealt with and the uninsured driver is held to account. The action plan has a timeline for delivery, the implementation of which Government is driving. The Minister of State, who, as I said, is being very proactive, has the report. There are 71 action points, 45 of which are due by the end of this year. I look forward to working with the Minister of State to ensure we commit to the action plan and see, as Senator O'Donnell said, such cartel activity eliminated. It is in the interests of all motorists to have a competitive, cheaper and transparent motor insurance quotation system and that we see more people on the road with insurance and reduce the number of people tempted to break the law by having no insurance.

Senator Gallagher also raised the issue of hospital waiting times, and Senator Coffey in his contribution referred to the issue of respite care. I am loath to begin a political row, but there are legacy issues we must recognise. The health budget is at its highest ever level. The Minister is very much aware of the inordinate and unacceptable waiting times, as all of us are in our own constituency offices from dealing with people - friends, family and members of our communities. However, it is important to note that the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, which published figures in this regard just last week, confirmed that over 52% of patients have now been waiting less than six months for either an inpatient or day-case procedure, and 93% have been waiting less than 18 months. However, this is too long for people in huge pain. There is a need to reduce waiting times for those who have been waiting longest, and that is a commitment of Government. It is for this reason the Government, in the most recent budget, allocated €20 million to the NTPF, with a commitment to increase this to €55 million in 2018. The Minister for Health is conscious of the matter and is working to achieve a waiting list initiative that will see more people being treated more quickly. I accept there is more to be done, but the Minister is committed, and the proof of that is in the budget recently announced.

Senator Boyhan raised the very important matter of the National Rehabilitation Hospital, and I know Senator Hopkins has raised this in the House previously. It is important we join Senator Boyhan in acknowledging that the reduction in the number of beds in this case is unacceptable and that the HSE has delayed too long in recruiting staff and reopening the beds referred to by the Senator. Since the Senator's contribution, the Minister of State with responsibility in this regard, Deputy McGrath, has asked me through my office to tell the Senator that he is happy to speak to him before the end of business today.

It is important to recognise the huge work being done in the national rehabilitation unit in Dún Laoghaire. The Government has committed to a rehabilitation programme which will see better outcomes for the patients and families who require these services. The HSE service plan for this year has identified a number of key priorities for the hospital, including finalising and progressing the framework of the national neuro-rehabilitation strategy. As a former health committee chair, I, with Senator Colm Burke, have worked very hard to see the strategy brought to fruition and to see investment in the National Rehabilitation Hospital. Senator Boyhan is right to highlight the matter.

Progress has been made on the redevelopment of the campus in Dún Laoghaire. A new 120-bed hospital with integrated therapies and support services will be made available. Planning permission, as the Senator will be aware, has been granted. Like the Senator, I wish this could be done more quickly, but a procurement process has begun, with the appointment of a contractor to be made later this year. The Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, is happy to liaise with the Senator. If he is not happy with that, I would be happy to have the Minister of State come to the House next week to have a debate on the matter. It is a hospital with which we all have a great affinity because many of us have friends and family members who have been in the hospital, and the care, service and attention they have been given are second to none. I think we all would like to see the situation improve and I would be happy to work with the Senator in that regard.

I made an offer to Senator Conway-Walsh last week on the issue of the motion on the Order Paper, but her party pushed the vote, which was its right and prerogative. I again compliment Senator Daly on his approach in this regard. The Minister, Deputy Creed, will come to the House next Wednesday. I am happy to facilitate statements on the matter rather than a motion, and I made this clear yesterday on the Order of Business. I am happy to do so again today, and that is my position.