Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I am sure the 110 senior managers will heave a sigh of relief that at least the Minister is not signalling that their salaries will be cut any time soon. Why did the Minister wait until the Dáil went into recess to announce this so-called package of reforms? Why was it not done it in the previous weeks when we had the opportunity to discuss it here in the Dáil Chamber? He has not given us a timeline for legislation. He heralded wholesale change in the HSE appointing an interim board and now seven directors are signalled to take over responsibility. However, accountability must rest with him. When will we see the legislation and what exactly is involved? What reduction in bureaucracy does the Minister expect from changes and how does he expect that to impact? If the salaries of those 110 managers earning in excess of €100,000 are not to be touched, what reductions will take place in the administration and bureaucracy of the HSE as against the cuts in front-line services we have seen all too regularly in recent years, which are continuing apace in the current year?

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