Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

A 9% increase is considerable. Ireland has been increasing current spending on health over the past decade faster than any country in the OECD, yet we have one of the youngest populations in the world. Only 11% of the population is over 65, as against 17% in the UK and 27% in Germany. The HSE has to manage its budget in accordance with the money voted for it by the Oireachtas. We cannot have over-runs. Money given for new developments, in particular, must be spent on them.

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