Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this budget, particularly the health measures. The budget addresses three key health areas - managing the next phase of Covid-19, reducing waiting lists and improving accessibility, which is crucial. There is an overall increase of €1 billion in healthcare funding, with the budget providing a total of €22.5 billion for health expenditure in 2022, to include both current and capital spending.

Some €250 million is provided in budget 2022 to tackle hospital waiting lists. There is an urgent need to prioritise the reduction of the waiting lists and also the time that people are waiting for the necessary care. Additional funding has been provided for the recruitment of staff, to bring the total number to over 144,000 employed in the healthcare sector. Recall that back in December 2014 there 103,000 people working in the healthcare sector. The figure is now over 126,000, which is an increase of more than 23% over the last number of years. The Government recognises the challenge that the cost of healthcare poses for families and older people.

It has included eligibility measures, such as the extension of free GP care for children aged six and seven, reducing the drug payment scheme threshold to €100, a dental scheme for medical card holders and the abolition of paediatric hospital charges.

I refer back to my colleague from my constituency saying there was nothing on the north side of Cork city, which I represent. I remind the Deputy that three projects are currently being built in the city. There is an extension to the Mercy Hospital with an extra 30 beds, an extension to Heather House with an extra 60 beds and the purchase of Blarney golf course hotel with an extra 50 beds going in there. That is 140 beds in Cork North-Central where the work is currently in progress. It is not totally dependent on this budget, but some of the money in this budget will be going towards finishing those projects, which is very welcome.

This is a progressive health budget which seeks to ensure all people are cared for. We should also give recognition to the additional €105 million that is provided for disability services. It is very welcome in an area that needs the funding and it will be well utilised for the delivery of services.

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