Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is still to be determined. I cannot divorce the costs of the implementation of Sláintecare from the funding needs of our health service as it is organised. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien would not thank me if I were to make a decision which, for example, affected the number of home help hours or the availability of nurses in our hospitals to fund a package of measures under Sláintecare. It falls to me and the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, to try to find a balance but we have not yet agreed on that. We hope to be in a position to make progress in that regard.

One of the challenges I face is that various commissions and groups make recommendations about their policy area. The trick is to pull all those requests together while being mindful of the consequences for the national finances. More resources and support will be allocated to Sláintecare. I acknowledge that much work was put into it by the Members of the Oireachtas involved in its drafting, but there are many competing needs that I must try to meet. I refer to our discussion on housing. I could probably discuss the education sector with the Deputy all afternoon. We must try to knit those needs together.

Last night, Deputy Jonathan O'Brien fairly stated that I do not have a monopoly on solutions. He is correct in that regard. I must try, however, to find a way for us to fund progress on all of the solutions people want me to implement. That is why the preparation of the budget is demanding.