Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Since his appointment as leader of his party and his election to his new office, the Taoiseach has made several notable contributions with which I agree in respect of the delivery of outcomes and value for taxpayers' money. Nobody could disagree with those sentiments. However, what concerns me is the translation of that into effect. Before the Government arrives at a position where money is allocated, situations are assessed, reports are commissioned, objectives are set out and money is then allocated to achieve those targets and objectives. That is the normal procedure, going through the Department of Finance via the line Minister.

However, I will point to two examples where this process has slipped seriously. In 2006 and 2007, when the Taoiseach was Minister for Finance, the Government allocated €18 million and approved 130 posts in the area of palliative care services. Everybody in this House understands what palliative care means for elderly people who have a range of complex illnesses and may not have a good quality of life. Under the palliative care service proposals, the intention was that home care packages would be provided so that comfort, social contact, physiotherapy, chiropractory and other services would be available to older people in their own homes. Elderly people want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. This point of contact with their home place is important for their comfort and mental well-being.

However, by May of this year, less than half the approved posts had been filled and only one in three in the three least developed regions. I see the Tánaiste is offering the Taoiseach some advice. I hope she is better informed of the figures in this instance than she was when she made her comments yesterday on the European Commission.

See this speech in context