James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I will make a number of points. In recent months the HSE has made great strides in getting its budget in order and many other innovations which will become more clear as the special delivery unit makes more recommendations, which I would expect the HSE to put in place. The Deputy is right, however. It is part of our policy that the HSE would be replaced by a different organisation.

I will address the core issue which is that of HIQA funding. HIQA's funding will match its requirement to allow it carry out its duties. I have no doubt it will be in contact with my Department when we reach the end of this annus horribilis which, unfortunately, the Deputy and his Government left us to deal with. We start next year with a clean slate and a new budget. We will have central control over the fair deal scheme. We will have full control over the budget for a year. We will have visibility over hospital spending on a fortnightly basis. We will have real-time information on emergency department flows and on inpatient waiting lists, none of which was available before this Government came into power.

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