Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

For the purpose of clarity, the line Minister is ultimately responsible for his or her Department but the Minister, Deputy Howlin, has responsibility for public expenditure and reform, and the review document was published by him. In respect of the health budget, does he stand over the figures set out in page 77 of the review in respect of 2015, 2016 and 2017? We are told that the purpose of this exercise is to develop a realistic, evidence-based budgeting framework. I presume this also means presenting realistic, evidence-based figures and budgetary allocations for essential public services. It is strange that the figures for health represent an increase of 0.5%, if even that much, year on year. In the previous budgetary cycle, there was a need for a huge Supplementary Estimate for health. Our hospitals have overcrowded emergency departments and high trolley counts, if people are fortunate enough to be on a trolley. These figures do not tally with such evidence.

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