Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister and Ministers of State on their reappointment. I make special mention of my constituency colleague who has been elevated to Minister of State.

Can I have an explanation for the delay in assessing reimbursement applications for new medicines? The issue at hand is a delay by the HSE in processing reimbursement applications for new medicines which is leading to patients not getting access to these vital medicines in a timely fashion. It now takes an average 340 days post-authorisation for medicines to be made available to patients and sometimes it can take several years. Other European countries have systems in place which enable new medicines to become available to patients within six months to a year. The system in Ireland is pushing us behind our European counterparts. This is against a backdrop of savings being made as a result of the framework agreement on the pricing and supply of medicines? It will deliver savings of €785 million until 2020. Why is it that despite the savings, we are not spending on new and vital medicines?

The first time the Minister came before this new health committee there was a big emphasis on waiting lists. I gave the example of Bantry hospital in my constituency where a rehabilitation and endoscopy unit would alleviate the pressure on the bigger hospitals in Cork city. I remember at the time the Minister thought it was a good idea. Are there any plans for Bantry hospital?

Home help hours are an issue. Many people coming into my constituency office are either looking for more hours or to get on the ladder to have hours. We are finding it impossible to get any help. There are some very worthy causes and cases. Does the Minister have any plans to increase the budget for it? I would like the Minister's comments on the availability of GPs to take up jobs in rural areas and the securing and retention of GPs.