Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Since the general election, we have seen the true value of Fianna Fáil policies, with hospital wards closed, operations cancelled, home help hours cut back, children's dental services cancelled, suicide prevention training cancelled and a ban on recruitment that has directly hit frontline services in the health area. However, there is one area in the health sector that has seen no recruitment ban and that is the Office of the Minister for Health and Children. Since 2002, the cost of special advisers to the Minister has risen from €206,000 to €666,000.

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