Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have to reduce spending by approximately €3 billion next year. We must at the same time try to maintain services in the health sector. A reduction in the cost of the public pay bill is clearly an element in our being able to maintain public services, including health and social welfare services and social welfare payments. There is a balance to be struck between the different ways in which one continues to deliver service. If one can reduce the pay bill and still deliver a quality service that must be done. Restructuring and redesign of ways of working forms part of getting ourselves out of our current difficulties.

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