Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They have been approved for reimbursement by the HSE. I do not know how there is a suggestion we have hit some sort of brick wall, as 23 new medicines this year so far, and it is only the middle of April, is quite a lot. They have been approved for reimbursement. Spending on medicines in Ireland by our public health service is not low. It is average to high. We already spend a lot of money on medicines in the Irish public health service. There is certainly scope for savings, whether it is better prescribing or greater use of generics. There are lots of ways in which savings can be made on our medicines bill. Any of those savings are retained in the medicines budget and can be used to approve new medicines. I understand from what was in the media over the weekend that one of the private insurers, the VHI, has agreed to fund some new medicines for cancer patients but this only applies to VHI patients in private hospitals. It does not apply to patients in public hospitals. Patients in public hospitals, whether they are insured or not, will continue to have access to medicines on the same basis. What happens in private hospitals is not under our control.

Hitherto, private insurers had waited until the HSE had made a decision on whether a medicine should be reimbursed and were no more willing than the HSE to fund medicines judged to be cost ineffective. This is a change. We need to examine the implications to see what can be done. I understand the other private insurers have indicated they do not intend to follow suit.

Deputy Howlin asked about the industrial relations dispute relating to support staff in our hospital. I understand engagement is taking place with the unions with a view to coming to a resolution and avoiding any unnecessary strike action.

On the fair deal scheme with regard to farm families, and this does not just apply to farm families but also to business owners, Government policy is to limit to three years the number of years for which somebody makes a contribution against their assets, that being a farm or business. The Minister of State, Deputy Daly, is working on this. It requires primary legislation to change it. The current target is to have the heads of the Bill next month but targets have been missed on a number of occasions on that matter so I would not want to stand over that or may not be able to stand over that. The budget for the fair deal scheme is at its highest ever. It has increased by €20 million to €980 million this year.

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