Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the strategy statement, there is a commitment to help to ensure implementation of reforms in health, education and other public services as outlined in the programme for Government. There are very ambitious statements concerning health and education and despite funding and so on, people are still finding it impossible to access health services. Some 666,000 people are on inpatient and outpatient waiting lists. There are shortages of consultants, nurses and general practitioners. There is a huge HR issue around health. Mental health funding fell short and waiting lists for access to therapies are getting longer, particularly for children. Hundreds of patients are still on trolleys. It is very difficult to see how improvement is going to happen in the short term.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund was allocated money this year, as we requested under the confidence and supply agreement. However, it is not up and running yet in terms of waiting lists and we are six months into the year. The money was allocated last October. It is not satisfactory. Can the Taoiseach confirm the number of patients who have been treated through the fund this year? Does he intend to chair the Cabinet committee on health? On the bed capacity review, is the Taoiseach confident that finance will be allocated to address the bed capacity issue? When does he expect the bed capacity review to be published?

As I have said to the Taoiseach before, education is fundamental to the strategic objectives and future of this country. There is a need for immediate investment in research, development and innovation, and for infrastructure funding for second and third level. Such investment and funding is critical to bringing in foreign direct investment. I mentioned the Technological Universities Bill this morning. There is paralysis in that particular sector. In the programme for Government, there is a commitment to invest up to an extra €500 million in education up to 2021. Can the Taoiseach indicate whether that commitment will be delivered upon and whether he has a schedule for such delivery? On career guidance, as I have indicated, although there has been some restoration, the Government has fallen short on definitive issues. There seems to be some opposition to ex quota guidance counsellors.

The fundamental point is that to fire-proof against Brexit, we need investment in education, skills and the talent of our people. Since the publication of the Cassells report, I get no sense that the Government is seized by that fundamental objective and reality.

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