Costello to protest at health service cutbacks
A Dublin TD is to protest outside one of the capital’s main hospitals today in a bid to highlight ongoing cutbacks affecting frontline health services.
Joe Costello, who will campaign outside the Mater Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Ward, said the 600 administrative jobs which the Health Service Executive (HSE) plans to cut from the sector will affect the entire health network.
“These redundancies are bound to have a knock-on effect on frontline services, despite claims that A&E services are to be ring-fenced,” Mr Costello, the Labour Party TD, said.
“The Mater Hospital – one of the busiest in the country – is bound to be one of the first to feel this squeeze.
“As we approach the autumn and winter and as our hospitals get busier and busier, the Labour Party is determined to maintain our protest as a reminder to the Government that the public will not stand for public health and safety being jeopardised by ongoing cuts in the health service.”
Mr Costello said he will meet with people using the hospital’s service during today’s lunch-time protest.
