Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Carey for his speech, which was interesting. I welcome the Book of Estimates and look forward to the budget in 15 days' time. I acknowledge the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, whose work I admire. I am confident a Fianna Fáil-led administration, with our colleagues in the Progressive Democrats, will deliver what people want in this budget.

Colleagues have highlighted the increases in the Estimates for the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Education and Science and Social and Family Affairs. With regard to the last, we must understand there are people in all communities who need an extra lift and I have always had a strong commitment to social inclusion, following as I do Chris Flood whom I succeeded as Tallaght-based Fianna Fáil Deputy for Dublin South-West. He pioneered many things evident in my constituency and throughout the country and it is important to continue that work. I have described the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, as revolutionising the Department and he has an opportunity this year to make a real difference with the money available to him. The need to examine fuel costs further and the consequent challenges for many families will be apparent to all Deputies and I am confident the Minister will do so.

Like Deputy Carey I have a strong interest in education, not only in Dublin. I hope the Minister for Education and Science, apart from dealing with other necessary and worthwhile programmes, will use the money available to her to enhance the building programme for our schools. I told the Minister I had visited St. Dominic's school in my constituency which was established 35 years ago and does a great job for the people of Tallaght. The building, however, is beginning to deteriorate. I can talk proudly about progress made in many schools in my constituency in recent years such as the new extension in Bohernabreena in Glenasmole and many projects in Killinarden, but there are still schools that need special attention, a point which is made to me when I visit them. It is not satisfactory to have schools that still need that level of attention and I hope the Minister will consider it.

I am also impressed by progress on programmes such as Early Start, one of which exists in Killinarden in Tallaght, where youngsters from disadvantaged families are given an opportunity to get used to school at an early age. We should support that strongly.

I will not be able to say much on health matters in a few minutes and I am aware Deputy Twomey is present who has many views on the health services. I live in a major population centre with a major hospital which was built seven years ago. Six years ago I had my own health challenges which I was able to overcome with the help of the local hospital. This year the Estimates provide €12.6 billion for health which is reasonable for health services. People say management is just as important as money but even tonight I received calls about people in another general hospital in Dublin so funding challenges remain. I look forward to supporting the debate on 7 December.

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