Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I again endorse what the Deputy has said. I believe we have achieved some positive change, even in the context of the financial constraints that exist. We are in a period of reform in terms of the structures and the configuration of these services but there are gaps that remain. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, has done a very good job in terms of maintaining resources as best we can and, in fact, increasing the resources in this area, including the recruitment of new staff. It is an area to which we need to pay constant attention. Deputy Mitchell's contribution reminds us of its importance as an area of our health service which we need to continually prioritise and better resource in line with the improvements that undoubtedly have been made generally in the country in respect of the possibility for revenue. This is an area we would all agree is a priority.

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