Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Much of what the Minister said was very predictable, and the PNA, in its statement yesterday, forecast exactly that type of response. Will the Minister admit that preventative community and primary care services will be hit severely by these cuts, not only because of the departure of human resources but also because of the cuts in other resources? It makes nonsense of the HSE claims that services are being developed across these areas. That is not the case at all. The so-called €35 million that has been ring-fenced, allegedly, for the further implementation of A Vision for Change - which I absolutely support - is a myth by another name, because it is not new money. Let us get to the core of it and have it explained precisely. It will not even plug the gap, let alone enhance services.

I made the point last year - I did not think I would have to make it again, but it is even more applicable today because the situation has become even worse - that as a Deputy here for almost 15 years, I have never looked at the health service with such concern as I do today. I reflect the reality of the people who come to me, as a health spokesperson and as a Dáil Deputy, from across this State. We are facing a very serious situation. I ask the deputy leader of the Labour Party whether she accepts that the concern I have reflected is real and growing and that it is of itself having a negative effect on people's health. Perhaps she does, perhaps she does not; but if she does not, she should, and if she does understand it, I ask her what she is doing about it. That is our question. The Labour Party appears to be voiceless in this regard, and it is high time its members played the part they heralded in advance of the general election, for which there has been no evidence over the 12 months since.

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