It has been three months since there was a free bed in St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny. I am receiving calls from families regarding older people being discharged because of overcrowding. The other issue that is coming up is that some doctors now are actually not seeing their patients. Some are being sent down to the accident and emergency department in Kilkenny. I had a lady in my office the other day. She has three children under the age of three and was in the hospital in Kilkenny for hours. She said the staff could not have been nicer and everyone was very helpful but the concern remains. Sláintecare was to transform the health service. What is happening in that regard? The reality on the ground is that there are significant issues. I know everyone is doing his or her best but we need to see what else can be done on this issue.

I am sorry to hear of the experiences that the Deputy's constituents are having in St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny. It is a very good hospital most of the time but has suffered from increased overcrowding in recent years. The best thing I can do is to inform the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, that the matter was raised in the House today and ask him to speak to the Deputy directly.