Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Department of Health is, of course, pressing the case, as are other Departments, for more funding. I make the point which the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, has also made that the level of funding now available to the Department of Health is at the highest it has ever been in the history of the State. While the Deputy points to needs to which we must respond, including welcome news such as the receipt of planning permission for the National Maternity Hospital, we should acknowledge the progress on the national children's hospital and the new hospital facilities in Portrane. I am engaging with the Minister, Deputy Harris, to determine the right level of capital funding we can afford as a country to make progress on the priorities Deputy Burton outlined in health.

The electrification of our rail network to attain higher speeds and capacity is a matter the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, is raising with me. I am working with him to see what kind of funding we can agree to make progress on a number of priorities, which might include the one referred to by the Deputy. He is raising many matters with me.

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