Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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48. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the recent assertion that the Health Service Executive received none of the funding it sought from the Government to develop services in the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, County Laois, at the time that its senior doctors were warning about safety risks in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20765/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Requests for additional posts and funding are considered by the HSE as part of the annual estimates process. Requests for additional resources made in 2011 had to be considered in the context of competing demands for funding, and against the backdrop of the worst financial crisis ever to fall on the State. In 2010 and 2011 the HSE had total budget reductions of €1.75bn and staff levels were further reducing. The reality is that all services were under pressure and there were frequent requests for additional funding.

The Clinical Programmes were in their infancy and a lot of issues and services, which were in need of development, were being identified. Many meetings were held with clinicians, all of whom were, understandably, very vocal about perceived funding and resource needs in their own facilities and specialties. The priority at the time was to deliver the maximum level of safe services possible with the reduced funding and staffing levels. The budgetary challenges continued in 2012. However, I am advised that in applying the cost reduction measures required, the then Dublin Midlands Region afforded a level of protection to paediatric and maternity services.

Following the publication of the HIQA report earlier this month, I will, together with my Department, engage with the HSE to ensure that the report's very serious findings are addressed, and that the recommendations are fully implemented and all other issues arising are dealt with appropriately.

Since the Chief Medical Officer's report on Portlaoise last year, much has been done to strengthen services in the hospital. New management is in place, there is significantly improved clinical governance and additional key clinical staff have been appointed. Portlaoise is now part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. The hospital will be supported to ensure that patients receive their treatment and care in the most appropriate setting within the Group.