James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I take issue with the Minister when she says she should not have a role. There is a role for the Oireachtas and for someone within the public service in controlling the costs of medicines, medication and medical procedures. This should not be left to commerce, of itself. In view of the VHI monopoly there has been a failure to drive down the cost of medical care.

While it may be difficult to get information in the hospitals sector, a report by PA Consulting found that in the community sector private home care can be got for €21 per hour while public care costs €28. This is because the HSE pays €18 per hour and clients are charged €12. How can this be and what does the Minister intend to do about it? Will she take an initiative to drive down the cost of medical care?

Why do we have such medical inflation when drugs such as proton pump inhibitors, which suppress acid secretion in the stomach, have been developed? Years ago, people had major gastric surgery for this problem but this is no longer the case. We should be making savings. It is not all one-way traffic and it should not be.

See this speech in context