Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I, too, raise a health issue. According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, more than 50 nursing positions are vacant in University Hospital Kerry. The union is calling on the HSE to immediately end its recruitment moratorium for front-line healthcare workers. In that vein, Deputy Michael Collins, my brother Danny and I have been operating a bus carrying people to the North for cataract procedures, which, as the Taoiseach knows, are very important. We have only two eyes in our head and our eyesight is probably the most important thing in the world to us. People who needed their cataracts removed have been able to avail of the EU cross-border healthcare directive. The sums were, effectively, that when people spent €3,000, they would be reimbursed just under €2,000. Now, all of a sudden, we are being told that is being cut to €850. I ask the Taoiseach to find out about this, clarify it and let us know why it would happen.

The way I will word it is that it was either go to the North or go blind. Deputy Michael Collins and my brother have been doing it. I have predominantly been taking all of Kerry people on this trip. It is highly successful. I had people last week. I will have people the week after next. They are relying on getting approximately €2,000 back. I plead with the Taoiseach to ensure that will continue and to try to address whatever has happened whereby it has been cut.

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