I am delighted that the Minister is present to hear my plea on behalf of St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel which serves the people of County Tipperary, which has a population of more than 100,000. My plea is a simple one. I am asking the Minister to help us acquire a CAT scanner. In the newspapers this morning I read that the Minister for Finance will have to revise his budget day tax revenue forecast by more than £500 million due to the fact that the economy is progressing at an alarming rate.
There is no CAT scanner in south Tipperary. As a result, seriously ill patients have to be ferried by ambulance to other centres in Waterford, Cork and Dublin. Because of the overloading of services in those centres, there is a waiting list. The medical profession is very concerned at the lack of such a facility in the locality. As a result people's lives are often put at risk.
The Minister will be pleased to learn that resulting from the tremendous interest expressed by medical staff in St. Joseph's and other hospitals in south Tipperary and with the support of local people, a huge fundraising campaign has commenced. We are determined to acquire this important resource. Last Sunday in my local hall we handed over £800 raised by way of a whist drive. To what I am sure will be an outstandingly successful campaign, the Minister can provide the impetus it needs by giving a commitment to provide a certain amount of money towards the cost of a CAT scanner. We are working hard on behalf of those who are prepared to do something for themselves. The campaign has been launched in all the major towns in south Tipperary for which it has been declared the millennium project. The question that is most often asked is, "What about all the money the Minister for Finance has at his disposal and how will the Department of Health and Children co-operate with us?"
My plea is a passionate and fair one. I ask the Minister to join our efforts to get this necessary facility for the people of the Tipperary area. I ask the Minister to give a commitment that he will back us and provide a certain amount of finance for this facility. This would give tremendous impetus and encouragement to the people who are prepared to work until the necessary funding is secured. It would also give the Minister a good image. Much is expected of him because, unfortunately, over the past 20 years Tipperary has been in the wilderness in relation to health services. There was little investment, although the former Minister for Health, Deputy Noonan, made a start by providing almost £13 million for improvements in hospital services.
We are determined to ensure the hospital has the facilities to enhance patient care and ensure that people's lives are not put at risk. As I said, we are prepared to co-operate with the Minister. Everybody is prepared to work at every fundraising activity that can be imagined. Our agenda in south Tipperary is to get the CAT scan for St. Joseph's Hospital. The Minister could give us the best impetus possible by committing himself to supporting this campaign. My request is reasonable. We want to join the Minister in partnership and ensure enhanced health services for the people who badly need this resource.
I congratulate the medical staff who were prepared to initiate this campaign. They could continue working with the existing facilities but they are prepared to give up their free time and use their resources and energy, in conjunction with a hardworking local committee, to raise funds for a CAT scan for St. Joseph's. I hope the Minister will give them the big push they deserve.