Willie Penrose TD

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Money wasted on e-voting could have completed Mullingar Hospital

Issued : Tuesday 10 May, 2005

The Labour spokesperson on Social and Community Affairs, Deputy Willie Penrose, has accused the Government during a Dail debate of squandering Ä52m on something that no one wants, electronic voting when something over Ä60m would have ensured the development of the hospital in Mullingar.

He said: ìThis is a scandal and it is about time the Government got itís priorities right. Mullingar Hospital needs 311 beds but only has 203 beds despite experiencing 130 per cent occupancy in wintertime. It is disgraceful that there has never been greater poverty for those who cannot afford access to and equality of treatment in the health service. Thousands of people are scattered over a very geographically dispersed area and it is well known that the proximity of a hospital is vital for patients.

ìI am fed up listening to the hype, bluff, bluster and blather meted out by this Government who has thrown away Ä52m when Ä60m would have completed a hospital in Mullingar serving 130,000 people, not including those under 18 years old.

ìThe Government can boast all it likes about the economy but it is not one that can be easily compared to other European economies when we consider peopleís access to services, such as the health service. Our two-tiered, under resourced, under staffed and over stretched health service is akin to something from a developing country. It is time for the Government to stop messing about and give Mullingar and the surrounding areas, the health system it deserves.î