Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I have two final comments. I welcome the Minister's commitment to reform in terms of the budgetary process. I know that it does not always get the headlines and it is not the most exciting part of health care reform but it will be integral to the roll-out of services in future. Everyone needs their own delineated budget so that we do not have a budgetary criss-cross. In the past, hospital beds have been closed in local areas due to overruns in child care. Only 12 months ago, a number of children's cases were referred to the High Court and the bill was in excess of €3.5 million. It equated to beds being closed in a community hospital. Delineated budgets will therefore be very important for the delivery of services. I welcome that kind of reform.

The Minister mentioned cash and, as we know, €214 million is still outstanding from private health insurance companies. If we are looking for cash savings, rather than going after home helps we should go after private health insurance companies and consultants to ensure that they sign off on the forms.