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

I want to begin by acknowledging all the work that is under way in hospitals at the moment - from nurses, doctors, consultants and all who support them in their efforts as they battle again with the impact of this disease and with all the healthcare needs that so many people have had for so long, particularly elderly citizens. We recognise how challenging this is for those who need care, but that is why the Government has done a number of things. First, it is why since 2018 the amount of funding we have put into the healthcare service has increased from €15 billion to more than €20 billion. That has allowed to happen three different things that we believe will be of help as we respond to the new challenges hospitals are facing.

First, we have thousands more staff members, all of whom are working in our hospitals. Second-----

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