Regarding the commitments on health care in the programme for Government, I told the Taoiseach a number of weeks ago that I did not want Kerry University Hospital to be turned into a glorified community hospital. Funding is being cut from the hospital and allocated to the South/South West hospital group where it is swallowed up by hospitals in Cork. Where does this leave us given that recent reports indicate cuts of €5.6 million are being imposed on management at Kerry University Hospital who will have to make significant cuts to staff, services and equipment? This could lead to the closure of beds or entire wards? Patients in the hospital are at severe risk. This is a disgrace. Will the Tánaiste give an assurance that Kerry University Hospital will not be downgraded as a result of a lack of funding?

More than €1 billion in extra funding has been made available to the health service to support hospitals throughout the country and the work that takes place day in and day out. I will ask the Minister for Health to liaise with the Deputy directly on the point he raised regarding Kerry hospital.