Dr. Graham Love:

The budget for this year included the first increase in six or seven years, €160 million, which is only a portion of the greater problem. We absolutely accept that. The first thing to do with a system that has been cut year on year and is reaching a problem point is to stop cutting. I think that has stopped and I really welcome that. Those, albeit limited, resources are welcome in the system and can help us prepare the ground for what it is hoped will be a significant further funding injection. It is needed. I understand it is open to debate as to what the sources for that will be. I believe, however, that we took a very important step in the right direction. Although it was relatively small in the context of the gap the Deputy referred to, the first injection of additional funding in six or seven years sent a very important signal to the system. Obviously, that will need to accelerate. We have been talking about deficits and issues of retention and everything else here today. It is absolutely acknowledged that the system is under strain.