Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I welcome the appointment of Professor Tom Keane, who will get involved in the delivery of these services in the next two years. I urge Deputies to be sensible and to support such progressive developments. I am also delighted that Beaumont Hospital has been selected as one of the centres of excellence as this is a major statement for the north side of Dublin. I take on board some of the criticisms from people in other parts of the country who feel that they are being neglected. We should look at those cases again and I urge Professor Keane to support people in areas that might not necessarily have got what they wanted. We cannot have a situation where some areas of the country are ignored by these centres.

The carer's benefit of €14 per week and the carer's grant of €1,700 are very important, but the key issue is that even though there is a downturn in the economy, the Minister had the courage to go for €1.1 billion extra in the health services. This is an opportunity to support the development of our health services. I raised these issues and I have been banging on doors and tables for the past few years. The process has now begun and I welcome that. It is a major start and a step in the right direction. I urge all Deputies to support the sensible aspects of this budget.

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