Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Construction inflation was running at approximately 25% per annum some years ago because of the level of demand. That is always what happens when a sector overheats.

The country is spending €1 out of every €4 running the health service. This is not an inconsiderable amount. We have come an awfully long way, yet we all know of the deficiencies and gaps. It is a question of having a sense of priority and trying to obtain as much as we can for the money being spent. I accept there might be too great a focus on hospitals and that we should focus more on primary care. The primary providers of health care are doctors. Doctors at general practice level intervene more with patients than any other group of doctors. Some people see a consultant only once in a lifetime because they may not require further visits, but they see their general practitioners frequently. I accept that more and more resources must be directed towards primary care, coming from a very low base. However, we will not be able to obtain the sum I mentioned in the short term.

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