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

The Deputy asked about the affect of this on budgetary resources in future. I do not believe the figures will have an affect on our figures for budget 2020. Our challenge is that over time, the gradual change in our population may have a very big affect on budgets in the medium term, specifically what will happen as the population gradually gets older and the impact that might have on the Department of Health in particular. There will not be such a change in that trend that it will affect our position next year but it is something the House will have to take into account for future years because of the good things that are happening here with people living longer.

I will take the Deputy's comments on expanding beyond the three Departments on board. I think it will have greater relevance in the medium term. It is something we can consider.

I believe the figures we have used on demographics to date have been accurate, however we must continue to evaluate this and the effect that a growing population has on the Department of Health and the kind of pressure that its services are under.

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