I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach and say hello to my kids in the Public Gallery. I want to talk about Beaumont hospital. It is a core provider of healthcare for the half a million people in its catchment area across north Dublin, which includes my constituency areas of Finglas, Ballymun, Whitehall, Santry and many others. Beaumont hospital is a key public service, a key provider of healthcare and provides many people with high-quality care. Unfortunately, the hospital, as with much of our healthcare service, is under severe pressure. The issues in Beaumont hospital have been raised in this Chamber by my colleague and constituency predecessor, Róisín Shortall, and others. Unfortunately, much remains to be done to support the hospital to be able to deliver the quality service that the public in my constituency and further afield needs. Almost 5,000 staff are employed in Beaumont hospital. On this International Workers' Day, I thank the staff at the hospital for all the work they do in very difficult and challenging circumstances, particularly the nurses who provide amazing care to patients, but also the porters, cleaners and all the staff who keep a hospital going, and the doctors and administration staff who do incredible work against the odds. Unfortunately, in 2024 HIQA undertook an inspection of Beaumont hospital and found that on the day of the inspection 28 patients were accommodated on trolleys and in armchairs. HIQA noted at the time that the arrangements were not fully effective at the time of inspection to manage the mismatch between service demand and hospital capacity. I want to highlight this today and ask the Minister to respond. I also want to highlight the issue regarding waiting lists at the hospital. I will raise one example, the case of a constituent, Margaret, who contacted me recently. Margaret saw a consultant in Beaumont hospital after her GP found two lumps in her breast. This consultant then referred her to the BreastCheck unit in Beaumont hospital. She waited three months for an appointment, despite being advised that her case was urgent and the turnaround should only be two weeks. She did get an appointment but this was simply to check again the presence of the lumps. She was advised by letter that a follow-up appointment would be required if a biopsy was necessary. This was all against the backdrop of her waiting anxiously beyond the advised two-week timeline for urgent cases like this. Is it acceptable that this is what patients are facing? I understand that Beaumont hospital is to receive capital investment but there needs to be a sense of urgency for everyone like Margaret who face unacceptable waiting times. These delays have life-altering consequences. By the HSE's figures there are currently 3,412 patients on the wait list for inpatient procedures and a staggering 40,493 people on a waiting list for outpatient procedures at Beaumont hospital. I would appreciate the Minister of State's response to this.

Sentiment score: 0.08

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit for the response. I appreciate the work being done in our health services across the country. We have to accept that the care being provided, even though doctors, nurses and administrative staff are doing their best, is not up to what is needed in all cases. Too many people in this country are left waiting on trolleys, including in Beaumont, and left waiting for appointments. What we have not seen is the full implementation of Sláintecare, which was the cross-party policy that was agreed. It is true investment has increased but the population has increased. The need has increased. We must match the level of need that is there with investment. It is simply not enough. The Minister of State said in his response that there has been a significant increase in waiting lists in Beaumont Hospital since last year. When we look at this, of those 40,000 on the waiting list, 2,500 have been waiting for more than one year and 790 have been waiting for 15 to 18 months. To be waiting 18 months for an appointment is unacceptable. Margaret's case is unacceptable but she is not the only one. I have been contacted by constituents who are on lengthy waiting lists for urgent care. They are worried, scared, and feel as if they are being passed from pillar to post. This is a broader issue of dignity for patients. It is an issue of dignity for staff. We need to retain our doctors and nurses, which is linked to the housing issue and housing crisis. We need to give proper, quality employment and housing to staff and provide a quality public service.

Sentiment score: 0.13