Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Kelleher can add my name to that list. Of course it is not possible and the Minister knows that well. The Minister published a plan knowing he did not have the money to fulfil it.

Several questions leap out following the Minister's statement. The Minister referred to transparency. In truth, that this information is in the public domain is down to freedom of information requests from Martin Wall. The Minister need not pat himself on the back for having information dragged out of him - it was not volunteered. It is in the public domain because of freedom of information requests.

The Minister referred to value for money savings and targets. He has a target for the money. How much does the Minister believe he will save on travel costs for administrative staff? Certainly, he will not save on travel costs for staff who are providing front-line services in the community. Those people have to travel; it is a necessity for the job. Is the Minister suggesting some people are over-claiming on travel? Is there a view in the Department of Health that over-claiming is taking place for travel?

The Minister referred to agency conversion and how it feeds directly into the recruitment strategy. The recruitment strategy is not working. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has said it – the Minister need not take my word for it. How does the Minister intend to convert? What is the plan? What are the targets? What amount of money is set beside each of these targets? How will we know? Will we be relying on freedom of information requests this time next year?

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