Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right. We have to ensure that the does not result in other areas falling back. As the Deputy asks, I will talk to the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and see what plans he has in this regard. No one wants to see someone with cancer burdened with another worry about finances. Considering how we do that and how we deliver universal healthcare would be the best solution to this. That is a cornerstone of the Sláintecare strategy. Broadly, I agree with the Deputy's perspective. We need to try to move towards such a universal system. The funding has increased, as mentioned at the committee meeting yesterday. There has been some €6 billion in additional core funding in the past three years. We wish to continue on that path to provide universal care.

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