Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have seen with the children's hospital low-ball estimates that have then climbed enormously. In some jurisdictions there would be an immediate query as to why one moved from estimates, which start off sounding reasonable, and then climbed dramatically. I do realise that situations can change. However, we have crisis after crisis in the health service yet we have an escalating health estimate. Does Mr. Watt think we will get €17 billion worth of output from the health services this year? There are people working in the health service who are under tremendous stress and, very often, completely exhausted. Last week, we saw an image of a woman in her 90s sitting on a trolley but spending her third day on a trolley. Is there a rapid reaction or response within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform when something is seen that is genuinely outrageous? Does someone in the Department lift up a phone and call the Department of Health to ask what is going on? The public cannot understand what is going on at the moment. It would be helpful if the public could understand the situation. We have had incredibly difficult years and people made tremendous sacrifices yet now we are looking at a lot of that go down the drain because there does not seem to be anybody in control. Is Mr. Watt surprised that the outcome of the health service this year is €17 billion? Perhaps it should be €18 billion or €14 billion. I do not know. Does Mr. Watt have a view on the matter? His Department looks at the overall Estimates.