Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am also allocating €20 million for the development of community mental health services as envisaged under A Vision for Change. I have agreed to a much reduced headcount savings target of 1,000 to protect front line health services. While health is a key priority for Government, the fact is that it accounts for 27% of public expenditure and, therefore, cannot be immune from making a contribution to our recovery efforts. In order to fund its contribution to our fiscal targets, we have to strike a balance between funding services through significant savings on pay, savings on drugs and measures relating to eligibility for medical cards and increased charges.

New savings measures will include €50 million on drugs from generic substitution and reference pricing, €113 million from a review of all medical cards to remove ineligible and redundant cards ---

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