Vol. 505 No. 3
183 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the long delays being experienced by many people in the casualty unit of Tallaght and other hospitals; if he will respond to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who was recently waiting six hours before receiving adequate treatment; if he will bring forward proposals to deal with these long waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13746/99]
The provision of treatment in the case referred to by the Deputy is the responsibility, in the first instance, of the Adelaide and Meath hospital, Dublin, incorporating the National Children's hospital. I have therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the hospital to investigate this matter and reply directly to the Deputy. The Deputy will be aware that all persons attending accident and emergency departments are assessed and treated in strict medical priority order and consequently the waiting time for treatment may vary in accordance with the circumstances at the time. The Deputy may also wish to note that total attendances at the accident and emergency unit at Tallaght in April 1999 reflects a 1.9 per cent increase on the figure for April 1998. Total attendances for all the major accident and emergency departments in the greater Dublin area show an overall increase in attendances of 0.4 per cent when April 1999 is compared to April 1998. This does not reflect a significant increase in demand.
