Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the really good work all our healthcare workers do on the front line of the health service. We rely on them so much for our care and everybody else's care. I am very critical of the inequalities in our health system but, as I have said many times, once people get into the public system, it is a very good system. They are treated very well and their experience is the best it can be in that environment. That is something of which this country can be very proud. However, there are historical inequalities in accessing that care, with waiting lists and so on. The job of successive Governments has been to address that but there remain gross inequalities in access. The funding shortfalls in the budget will have consequences for those who rely on services. The embargo on the recruitment of certain professions will have consequences across the board.

I will focus on one issue in the budget. I spoke to the Minister informally about this serious matter, on which I hope he can throw some light. It relates to access to life-saving medicines. There is normally a budget for these medications and treatments but for next year, that budget has, in effect, been cancelled. Many patients rely on certain medications and treatments. There are 1,000 cancer patients who may not get access to 23 new medicines. Will the Minister provide clarification in this regard? Being able to get treatment is a life-and-death issue. Like all other Deputies, I received an email concerning one of these patients, who was told there would not be access to the new drug and it would require leaving the jurisdiction to access it. That is not good enough. People are reliant on these drugs as part of their medical intervention. Even Bernard Gloster has said there will be a significant slowdown as a result of the lack of additional funding for clinical programmes. This is quite serious, to say the least. I would be grateful if the Minister could offer some clarity on the funding shortfalls, particularly for new drugs and treatments. There are more than 1,000 people waiting for these new drugs and treatments; in fact, there are 4,000-plus. I hope he can provide clarity in this regard.

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