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"No money for Mullingar Hospital," says McGrath
Deputy Paul McGrath expressed his disappointment with the recently published Health Estimates for next year.
"This Fianna Fáil led Government have proposed a £32million increase in spending for hospital buildings for 2002 - this increase in spending is not even enough to complete Mullingar General Hospital," says Deputy Paul McGrath.
"While we are regularly told by local Fianna Fáil Representatives that 'money is coming' nonetheless the facts of the matter are that firstly, Mullingar General Hospital is not included in the projects for the National Development Plan. Secondly, the estimate announcement for next year is not indicative of good news for Mullingar.
"In 1980 when we were much poorer than we are now, Ireland spent 8.7% of wealth (GDP) on Health. By 2000 Ireland's spend had dropped to 5.1% of GDP, 6.05% on a GNP basis, which is probably a fairer measure (£4,066 million spent; GNP estimated £67.2 billion; GDP £79.7 billion). It has to be acknowledged that Irish GDP increased rapidly in recent years. Nonetheless, despite the rapid growth in our economy, Ireland is 22nd in a list of 29 OECD countries in terms of health spending. From a low base in the early 1990s health spending has more than doubled, but it remains far behind the European average of over 8% of GDP.
"The money contained in this estimate does nothing to restore the health service spending to 1980 levels, despite the fact that the Exchequer has run budget surpluses of £6.4 billion. That is very regrettable. It is more than regrettable for the many thousands of people who are waiting for hospital beds. It is more than regrettable also for the doctors, nurses, therapists and paramedics and others who work within the health services and those people who rely on their expertise and care. It is deeply disappointing for all of those people who believed the Minister's press releases and expected a reforming and revitalising response. Instead of the stimulating injection expected, this estimate will act as a sedative to the ailing health service: at best maintaining the current unacceptable status quo, at worst allowing a rapid deterioration of its critical condition.
"Let us look at the facts contained in these figures and examine a few key areas which give the lie to any assertion of change or improvement.
"The total net increase in this year's estimate over last year's is £850 million - an increase of 17%. Good so far. But when we examine the detail we discover that of this £850 million, 49.5% or £421 million goes to pay salaries. The payment of salaries is an essential part of any estimate, and I fully concur with the need to pay good salaries. I have no quibble with salary payments. What I do have a problem with is what this Government has allowed for health spending, after the allowance for salaries has been removed. The increase is now reduced to just £429 million. The reality is that this estimate simply aims to continue existing programmes and to pay staff.
"The shortage of beds in Mullingar General Hospital continues - despite the fact that four floors of this hospital continue to lie empty," says McGrath.
"On a recent visit to this hospital, Michael Noonan T.D. gave a firm commitment that on Fine Gael’s return to office, he would provide the funds to complete the hospital," says Deputy McGrath.
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