Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Does the Minister accept the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children's statement earlier that there are 300,000 potential claimants? If so, does he agree the sum involved, regardless of whether everybody claims, will be significantly higher than first estimated? He stated this will have an impact on health spending. Has he identified the areas on which there will be an impact, particularly since a significantly higher number of claimants is involved?

In the context of the trolleys and the accident and emergency disaster, many people are concerned about the implications of the Minister's statement of 21 March for health services.

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