Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In the context of the Taoiseach's previous answer, I recall that during the last general election campaign in Dublin West the Taoiseach's slogan over the final days of the campaign was "Don't let Sinn Féin turn west Dublin into west Belfast". Having campaigned on that slogan, the Taoiseach's previous reply suggests that those who do not know history are condemned to repeat it.

The first issue I wish to raise regarding the health services is one that I have raised here previously. Where stands those who work in section 39 organisations? I am talking about the tens of thousands of workers in organisations funded through section 39 who experienced pay reductions at the beginning of the economic crisis. The Government of which the Labour Party was a member, through the then Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, put in place a mechanism for restoring public service pay and it was understood that section 39 organisations were to follow. These are people who work in hospices, in Rehab, in the Irish Wheelchair Association and in a wide variety of organisations vital to the health service. We know that discussions are ongoing with the Department of Health. In the summer economic statement which was published yesterday a sum of €2.6 billion has been set aside for "commitments". Does the money set aside in the summer economic statement include funding to restore pay levels for staff working in section 39 organisations or is their pay claim buried somewhere in the bowels of the Department of Health? Will those workers be left with no choice but to initiate the industrial action which they have threatened but stalled because the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance promised them meaningful discussions?

The Taoiseach made reference to Sláintecare in his reply. Sláintecare is a product of new politics in this Dáil to which all parties and Independent Deputies genuinely contributed. However, 18 months after first talking about it, the Government has not yet appointed an executive director of the Sláintecare implementation office. We all know that without an implementation pathway, it will be almost impossible to achieve anything. What is the fate of new politics as expressed in the comprehensive agreement between all of the Members of the Oireachtas? Where stands that now? Is it sidelined and jettisoned or does the Government intend to proceed with it?

There has been much debate on public radio lately around peoples' experiences of the health service. We can all agree that when one gets into the health system, the service is often very good. However, the bureaucracy and managerial confusion is heartbreaking. People go onto waiting lists which just get longer and longer. Sláintecare was meant to address that but the Government has not even addressed the implementation of same.

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