Limerick Deputy Niall Collins has described the new figures published by the HSE that reveal a 29.1% increase in the number of people on waiting lists at University Hospital Limerick as ‘a disgrace’ – “particularly at a time when the Government is seeking further cuts to local health services next year”.

“In the last two years, the health services in Limerick and across this region have received a hammering under the Health Minister James Reilly’s so called ‘reform’ agenda. Instead of improving services for patients as he promised, the reality has been the exact opposite,” said Deputy Collins who claims the situation is out of control.

“And things are set to get worse next year as the Government seeks to slash another 666 million from the health services as a result of Minister Reilly’s gross mismanagement of the health budget for a third year in a row. Waiting lists at University Hospital Limerick will jump again if Minister Reilly is allowed to continue,” Deputy Collins said.