Mary Harney's 'devastating' cuts plan harsher than Budget announcement

Minister Mary Harney: Harsher cuts to health

THE Health Service Executive Service Plan for 2011 and the Government’s four-year cuts plan will devastate health services, Sinn Féin Health & Children spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has warned.

The Cavan/Monaghan TD pointed out that the HSE has now admitted that the real scale of cuts to the health services is higher than the €765m announced in the Budget and estimated at well over €900m.

The Sinn Féin Dáil leader said:

With 1,500 public beds currently closed, this plan will see many more closed in the months to come, resulting in people waiting longer for vital treatment.

This greatly curtailed Service Plan comes as the Central Statistics Office highlights the gap in health and life expectancy between the wealthy and the poor in this society.

Any incoming government must pledge to reverse Health Minister Mary Harney's cuts, he said.