Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I ask for the figures for 2016, 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019. Knowledge of the trend will inform the committee. With all the will in the world if the trend is not in the right direction, the witnesses' proposals will not be met with much enthusiasm. Deputy Donnelly took the words out of my mouth. This is not seen to be a policy priority for those in public service or political life because it cannot be seen out there. It is just not good enough and we need to change that rapidly because we are so far behind.

I was impressed by what the previous witnesses said about future policy. It is obvious that there are two sides to this. Obviously we need to increase funding. This is probably a question for Mr. Conroy. How will funding be increased? What percentages are being considered?

How will we ingrain the process, for want of a better term? Dr. Coffey pointed to a requirement for permanent funding for research staff etc. That is totally agreed, but it is way bigger than that. It needs to be part of the whole process. It needs to be ingrained throughout the HSE and needs to be part of the hospital network. How can we ensure that happens quickly?

Mr. Conroy is probably in a better position to answer the question on funding. Dr. Coffey is probably in a better position to answer the question on whether the process can be ingrained through this new strategy, for which I have no doubt he is an advocate.