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

I do not know what the Deputy's response would be if I was to introduce a budget that had no tax changes at all for any worker in the State. I am, however, certain of the reaction of many other Deputies. They would condemn me for introducing, at a time of economic stability in the country, the first budget that did nothing at all in the context of workers' take-home pay. Deputy Joan Collins may have a different view. Perhaps she might outline it shortly.

The Deputy referred to the allocation of resources in the health service. We have allocated more than €15 billion to the health service for this year. In publications earlier this year, I indicated that we are seeing difficulties for the HSE delivering its plans, even within the existing framework. We have made additional resources available to the Department of Health. The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, and I are committed to bringing in an implementation plan for Sláintecare and we are working on that.

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