Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There are specific items in the Estimates. There is the treatment abroad scheme and the cross-border directive process, which are demand-led schemes. There is increased allocation for those, and the treatment abroad scheme is used because people cannot get treatment here in a timely manner so they go to another jurisdiction. It is an area that could be addressed with more efficient service so people would not find it necessary to go abroad. It should be dealt with through the budget for our services here.

There is also the question of the State Claims Agency and the increasing amount paid out in claims against the State. It is again probably a reflection of the pressure the health system is under that there are so many claims against the State. I believe there is contingency for future claims of €1 billion, although I am not quite sure if that is the correct figure. How can the Department and the HSE deal with those additional demands?