Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In the Alice in Wonderland world of economics pursued by the Government it appears that those who have retired early from the health service, as an alleged cost-saving measure, can, in the words of the Minister for Health, be rehired, presumably while retaining their handsome pensions. Surely this is a prime example of Darby O'Gill economics. In the hope the House will have an opportunity to address some of these matters, will the Government intervene to bring forward the Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill in order that we can address some of the major questions relating to the health service? The retirements are being spoken about as a cost-saving measure. We might recognise that there are cost-saving measures that could be implemented in the prescribing of medicines. In that regard, will the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medicines) Bill also be brought forward in order that we can address a real cost saving of public money?

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