Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Durkan. Regarding how people feel about their concerns, I cannot speak to whether they feel those concerns have been addressed. To my mind, however, the evidence never backed up those concerns. There were concerns about a lack of implementation, whereas, in fact, the evidence shows more implementation than in any previous year. Therefore, I have always disagreed with the allegation or concern that progress was not being made. We have demonstrated comprehensively that significant progress has been made. We are making progress towards achieving universal healthcare at a level that speaks for itself.

Turning to the Deputy's second issue, he is probably talking specifically about paediatric orthopaedics. In that regard, we just funded and launched a €19 million plan. By the end of the year, that will probably have reached a little over €20 million. It is a combined approach between Cappagh and Crumlin hospitals, and some private operators may also be used. The plan seeks to increase treatment for all children waiting for paediatric orthopaedic procedures, including those with spina bifida and scoliosis. We have set an ambitious target. Regardless of whether we hit that target by the end of the year, my view is that it is important to push the system as far as it can go and beyond its comfort zone, if we are going to get these children treated. They must be treated. The target is that no child would be waiting more than four months for intervention in cases of scoliosis or spina bifida. It is an ambitious aim. Some of the surgeons have raised concerns to the effect that it would be an amazing feat to achieve this objective by the end of the year, given the complexities involved. I am confident, however, that we have a well-funded and serious plan in place. We are working across all the relevant hospital sites.

Moving on to the Deputy's question regarding whether we can make all this happen and implement all these ambitious plans as laid out, it remains to be seen whether we will reach all the targets. The targets we have set are intentionally stretch targets. Their very nature means that we are trying to push the system outside of its comfort zone. I refer to pushing the Department and the public health service, the HSE, beyond what has been achieved before. Regardless of whether we hit all the stretch targets, there is absolute determination in the Department and in the HSE and complete determination and resolution in Government regarding the need to implement the policies on patient affordability, clinical strategies, waiting lists and a permanent increase in the capacity and modernisation of the public health service