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

I thank the Minister and Ms Magahy for attending. I especially welcome Ms Magahy and wish her well with what will not be an easy task. If there is anything I can do personally, my door will always be open to her. Well done to everybody involved in Sláintecare. Much hard work went into the plan. It is fantastic that health is now above politics and, through Sláintecare, it will remain that way and we will all be on the same hymn sheet. Other Departments should take note and act accordingly.

I apologise if I repeat any of the questions asked by other members. I had to step out to meet some farmers who travelled from west Cork. The Minister said the Sláintecare programme will move the health system to a population-based approach. Will he elaborate on that statement? He stated "new models of care will be designed that are structured, coherent and tailored to population need." When does he expect this to occur? Could it not have been started already?

The Minister also stated the implementation of Sláintecare will require a stronger system of community care. Has a decision been taken on what that system will be?

The Minister emphasises that Sláintecare will be "for those who need it most". I find that description abstract and I wonder what the criteria will be. Who will decide who needs it most?

This may not be the correct forum but, on a personal level, I ask for the Minister's permission to contact him about a matter. I was contacted this morning by a constituent who has been waiting for 17 weeks for the result of a smear test. An initial test came back unclear so the patient was advised to retest. She has now been told she will have to wait another 17 weeks for the second result. May I contact the Minister on that matter?