Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I think everyone would like to see resources in almost every area increased further, particularly as the economy recovers. I do not dispute that. The Deputy wants to have an honest discussion. As he knows, the movement for instance to establish local health centres with the provision of services in an outpatient and a more local setting is critical in order to assist the emergency departments being reserved for the most serious cases.

The investment in primary health-care services, as the Deputy knows - he did not reference it in his comments - is increasing very significantly with new primary health care centres opening throughout the country. They are able to provide a number of the services that used to be provided in hospitals, particularly services for children and older people living in their homes who can now get a service at a local level thus taking the pressure off the emergency departments.

The Deputy needs to acknowledge that there are now 11,774 fewer patients on trolleys than was the case when we took over from the Government led by the Deputy's party.

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