Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

This is a morally reprehensible action by the Government and the Minister for Health and Children. She should not tell me she cannot find €10 million out of €16 billion expenditure. She proclaimed — as did the Government — that there would be no cutbacks in health in 2009. It was said there would be no cutbacks in health and education, but now we are talking about a cutback of €700 million.

In response to Deputy O'Sullivan, the Minister stated that of 60,000 births, 50% are female, which is in or about correct, giving a total of 30,000 girls. If we take 80% of the total that gives 24,000, which is probably high compared to most vaccination programmes. I understand the current cost of administering the vaccine to 12 year old girls is €115 per shot plus VAT. When that is multiplied by three, the total is €345. When that is multiplied by 24,000, one gets a total of €8 million — if one wishes to add VAT the total is approximately €10 million, not €14 million as the Minister indicated.

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