Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I asked him yesterday about the summer economic statement, but we did not have time to discuss it. Will we have the statement at the end of June in order that the committees of the House will be able to have a proper chance to have an input into the budget?

The Minister mentioned expenditure on housing as being below profile and that the delay in the draw-down for Irish Water was one of the reasons for it. That is a matter of grave concern. The Committee on Budgetary Oversight had a lengthy discussion on the health budget, which seemed to be at least €800 million short of the resources required, based on an analysis by civic society groups such as Social Justice Ireland. We are all aware of the enormous pressures within the health service. The Secretary General of the Department of Health told me at one of the meetings that health spending would always be rationed. That was his approach, which is interesting, given the deficiencies in the Department of Health. I could also mention other Departments. Will there be any Supplementary Estimate to cover the cost of implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, to achieve what we have committed to achieving?

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