I thank the Chair for allowing me to raise this important matter and I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Currie, on his appointment. During the course of the previous debate Deputies described floods and storms but they are as nothing compared to the storm raging in Cork over the shortage of beds in Cork University Hospital.
One can expect emergencies to arise during the winter season with a consequent shortage of beds but the crisis at the hospital has been ongoing since October 1994. I should like the Minister to dwell on the inconvenience caused to patients whose operations are postponed. He can imagine their anticipation when they arrive at the hospital and their stress and disappointment when they are turned away, not knowing when the operation will be performed. Imagine the chaos in the hospital where five day wards were turned into seven day wards with nursing staff extended to the full. Yet they give of their best and I congratulate them for the service they have given over this time.
One would have thought the crisis would have abated after Christmas but there were 40 over-bookings on Satur-day, 33 on Sunday, 36 on Monday and 25 on Tuesday. The Minister will appreciate that opening additional wards, converting five day wards into seven day wards and providing additional staff and medical supplies has a major impact on the board's finances.
From the period October to December 1994 the additional cost amounted to £192,000. The additional services provided for January amounted to £56,000. The cost of trying to contain the emergency in the hospital is almost £250,000 and a further £50,000 will be needed for this month. This means the board must find an extra £300,000 over and above its budget.
Some time ago, Dublin city hospitals and the Eastern Health Board were allocated £500,000 to meet emergency services. The Minister for Health issued a statement on 18 January in which he said that because of the emergencies in Dublin hospitals he was providing a further £850,000. The £500,000 allocated does not form part and parcel of the board's budget. When we consider that Dublin has received £850,000 it is only natural that we in Cork would look to the Minister to alleviate the difficulties we face.
I wish to share my time with Deputy Wallace.