Hospital staffing and services
Stagg raised patients being removed from Mullingar Hospital because no nurse was available, amid wider criticism of hospital services. The Taoiseach pointed to hospital investment, a planned €70 million for deficient accident and emergency departments, and additional staff.
What about patients entering Mullingar Hospital who have to be taken out because there is no nurse?
Comment on this
We have seen enormous expenditure, €300 million into St. Vincent's Hospital and money spent on Tullamore hospital, Roscommon hospital and a range of other hospitals that have opened up.
Comment on this
There are a few to which no money was given.
Comment on this
The Health Service Executive is up and running since January. The reform structures have been put in place, the Tánaiste has put in place a significant action programme in the accident and emergency area. Naas hospital is doing very well as the Deputy knows. His colleague, former Minister for Finance, Mr. McCreevy, put that in place.
Comment on this
Deputy Stagg should know this is his leader's question and he is not entitled to ask a supplementary question or to comment. The Taoiseach, without interruption.
Comment on this
He was not interrupting. He just wanted to congratulate the Government on Naas hospital. There are also all of the other developments. In the accident and emergency area this year we have a planned programme to put almost €70 million into improving those accident and emergency areas that are deficient. We have also put significant additional staff into these areas.