Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not wish to get into the details of any aspect of the many areas that are involved in the health budget. I am aware that the Health Service Executive wrote to the Minister with its submission of the draft plan for service provision for 2014. I am aware that a number of matters to which reference was made in the letter are being considered by the Government as how best to deal with them. I genuinely am not aware of the specific point the Deputy mentioned. However, I repeat that the Minister for Health has a responsibility to assess the draft plan, as submitted by the Health Service Executive, to provide services for 2014 and to respond to the Health Service Executive with his approval or amendments to the draft plan as he considers. This work now is concluding with the Minister for Health. I believe that next week, Members will see the result of his deliberations here.

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