The Government today faced new demands to rescue Dublin's Mater Hospital from a €20 million debt.
Labour Party TD Joe Costello claimed overcrowding and staff cuts have plunged the hospital into a deepening cash crisis. As he staged his latest protest over bed closures and loss of services, the Dublin Central representative said the situation was going from bad to worse.
He claimed: "The Hospital Board was told this week that it faces a financial shortfall of €20 million this year. "Not only does the Mater have to cope with staffing shortages and overcrowding at the Accident & Emergency Department, this year's HSE funding is short of what is required to maintain that level of service.
"If there is a funding shortfall, services will have to be cut. If services are cut, patients suffer." Mr Costello, who has staged demonstrations at the hospital gates each week for the last two years, urged the Government to end its "failure to address the serious problems affecting one of the country's busiest and most important hospitals".
He added: "News such as this vindicates the stance we have taken throughout that time. "A further funding shortfall would be catastrophic for the Mater.
"The Tanaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney, must provide the necessary money to ensure the situation at the Hospital does not deteriorate further."