John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Pardon my chuckling but Mr. Desmond is distinguishing between items such as primary care and home care packages. I am asking who makes that call in the Department of Health. Who decides that the Department must exceed the budget for home care packages because there is critical demand for them?

They not only save the State a considerable amount of money but there is an acute need for them, and that can be clearly demonstrated. Mr. Desmond mentioned that this would be scrutinised live. However, in primary care and other areas the money is spent before it comes before the review committee, which means the committee examines them after the fact.