Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I would well believe that.

The issue is when one compares the money being expended on paediatrics in this city to other cities of a similar size, there is a great deal of room for ensuring that the resources are provided to the front line more easily than is the case currently. That will require support from everyone in the House to look to reforms, which are necessary in the context of finite budgets, and the need to ensure that there is effective and efficient delivery of service in all circumstances.

The Deputy asked about the provision of additional beds. There have been many efficiencies in this area but with regard to the Minister for Health and Children's initiative, a number of co-located hospitals have been delayed because of appeals against planning decisions by certain individuals or groups. Work continues to be done to make financial arrangements for the funding of the proposals. The whole idea of course is to ensure that the greater number of public beds in our public hospitals will be available for public patients.

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