Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Does the Minister not accept that it is unacceptable that the opposition spokespersons on health will not have the opportunity to address the detail of the national service plan until after its introduction and implementation from 1 January next? The plan is for the calendar year of 2014.

With regard to provision for the roll-out of the bilateral cochlear implant programme, speculation in the media this morning cites a figure of just over €3 million. Is that not on the low side, given the possible cost of introducing the bilateral programme? How many young people will be seen in the course of 2014, given that the window for young people who are challenged by hearing loss is limited as time passes? There is provision of approximately €500,000 in respect of narcolepsy and the victims of Pandemrix. What services will that provide?

To conclude, it is really unacceptable that the Minister is circulating this plan at 10.15 this morning. We should have had the plan at 10.15 p.m. last night, at the latest, to prepare for detailed questions to the Minister.

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