Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The difficulty with all of this is that, as we stand here today raising issues and asking Dáil questions, there is overcrowding in emergency departments across the country and massive waiting lists. The Minister has changed the targets for inpatient and outpatient appointments to 18 months. There are cancellations on a continued basis for elective surgeries. Right across the health service there is huge pressure, which is having an impact on the quality of life of patients and putting the workforce under extreme and inordinate pressure. Last year, for example, the Minister said he would have €300 million in non-Exchequer income, but he will not have that income next year. That is not continuing income; much of it was one-off funding. Irrespective of what way the Minister wishes to put it, he will have a deficit this time next year again. If not, it will mean that services will have been cut back to remain within budget. The Minister should confront that reality now and accept that the budget for 2016 is unrealistic and simply will not sustain the health services of today, which are under-resourced and under-funded.

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