Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have three brief questions. Where exactly stands Sláintecare? I have been trying to get a clear view from the Department of Health. Is the Sláintecare accepted by Government and has the process of implementation begun? Who is going to drive that implementation? Will it be the Taoiseach, through the cabinet sub-committee, or is there another implementation mechanism?

My second question relates to capital investment and we are currently in the middle of a capital review. How are the health care requirements to be prioritised? Will there be a debate about that? Will it be determined by the Cabinet sub-committee in advance of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform reaching its conclusions?

My final question is on the outstanding moneys due to consultants under an agreement concluded with a previous Minister for Health, Mary Harney, which will now crystallise into a bill of some €300 million. Where stand the negotiations on that and how will it fit into the budgetary arithmetic?

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