Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have no doubt we are having an ideological debate. I am just saying patients would not thank us for having one, given that they just want to know when they will get their operations. I, too, despite the Deputy's best efforts to paint it otherwise, am a major supporter of the public health service. This is why I have just delivered the largest ever budget it has received in the history of the State. However, I am not shy about saying that when there is capacity in other areas to try to help patients who are waiting too long, we will use the capacity. Follow-up care is part of the discussions between the NTPF, the HSE and my Department. We are discussing exactly what happens after a patient has a procedure and whether it will be in the private hospital or in a public hospital and who does what. It is not all about outsourcing. Some of it is about insourcing. There is spare capacity in parts of our public hospitals. I have seen it as I have visited hospitals. This will be detailed when we publish the NTPF plan shortly.

I believe it will make a difference. However, it must make an appropriate difference and it cannot be used to cherry-pick people. It must be used for acuity and certain specialties where we have a shortage in the public health service, which we will address but cannot address overnight. It must also be used to target those waiting the longest time. There must be a fairness about it.

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