20th February 2003

---

``Mater Hospital jobs cuts - Taoiseach must act'' - Ó Caoláin

Commenting on news that the Mater Hospital in Dublin is to cut 163 staff posts Sinn Fein Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD challenged the Taoiseach to act to prevent what he described as the collapse of hospital services. Deputy Ó Caoláin said:

``The Taoiseach himself once worked in the Mater Hospital and he and his Health Minister have repeatedly boasted of its achievements. Yet today we learn that 163 posts are to be axed. This is a further body blow to our hospital services and comes after the closure of 250 beds in the five Dublin teaching hospitals. The Taoiseach and the Minister must act now to prevent a collapse of hospital services.''

---

Sinn Fein Press Office, 44 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Tel: +353-1-8726100 and +353-1-8726839   ·   Fax +353-1-8733074
E-mail: sfpress@eircom.net   ·   Website: http://www.sinnfein.org

---

Sinn Fein   ·   Sinn Fein Documents

---