Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and the members of his panel. I acknowledge the extremely difficult job he has done and that he has made real progress in some areas, for example, hospital waiting lists, which is welcome, particularly in the extremely difficult circumstances in which we are operating. However, I want to ask questions of the Minister on a number of areas.

On the question of savings, how far are we in regard to savings on drugs, for example? In terms of the Supplementary Estimate, will that help us deal with the issue of inadequate home help hours for some people?

I appreciate it is difficult for the Minister to discuss next year's budget because it is not finalised but is he satisfied that the figures he will have to present will stand up and that we will not have over-runs in the coming year?

I wish to ask specifically about agency nursing. I welcome the Minister's commitment to protect nurses' pay but would it be better to take on permanent nursing staff rather than agency staff given that the agency staff must be paid the same rate as a permanent nurse? The new nurses will not be as expensive because their pensions will be based on a career average rather than what they were earning at the end of their career.

Also, will the Minister comment on reorganising the Health Service Executive and outline the position on primary care?