Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One should not make the mistake of believing serious problems in one area reflect the position throughout the health service. I look at the figures for the numbers of patients on trolleys every day and while there is an overcrowding problem in Limerick, the figures on a given day may show that half of perhaps 50 or 60 patients on trolleys are in three hospitals and another ten hospitals may not have anyone waiting on a trolley. The same applies to outpatient waiting lists, with three of 49 hospitals accounting for more than half of the waiting list. Let us, therefore, not make the mistake of believing a small number of services or areas are representative of the whole system.

As I am in discussions on the budget, I am precluded from discussing that matter. However, it is worth making a few points that are not often made in the debate. The health budget has declined from €16 billion in 2008 to an outturn of approximately €13.7 billion this year. Once the figure has been adjusted to take account of the funding transferred for children's services, the budget outturn increases to close to €14.1 billion. This indicates that the health budget has been cut by approximately €2 billion in cash terms since 2008. No other Department has made such a large cash contribution to reducing the budget deficit and in some Departments expenditure has increased since 2008.

According to figures bandied about in the press, I am seeking either €1.2 billion or €900 million in additional funding for next year. I can state categorically that is not the case. I am seeking to achieve a neutral health budget to enable the Department to spend more or less that what was spent this year. I will try to provide a better service next year within the existing budget.

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