Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this opportunity to address the House on the funding for the health service in 2024. This was discussed in the House last week, and I would like to reiterate the Government’s commitment to ensuring our health services are well funded. The €22.5 billion health budget for 2024 is the biggest ever and will facilitate the continued delivery of quality affordable healthcare services. Deputies have referenced funding for waiting lists and emergency departments but it is important to point out that the emergency department action plan is fully funded, as is the waiting list action plan.

I also reiterate that funding to maintain existing services has been provided to meet inflation and rising patient demand. Resources are in place to hire 2,000 staff in addition to those who are already in place and are providing vital services in our communities. Provision has been made for the opening and staffing of six new surgical hubs across the country, including in my own constituency in Galway. The demand for healthcare has increased and continues to rise due to our ageing population and pent-up demand for services which arose as a result of Covid-19. As I have previously said, it will be necessary to achieve cost savings where we can and ensure taxpayer’s money is spent as efficiently as possible. I have every confidence that the Department of Health and the HSE will ensure this happens in 2024 and future years.

As Minister of State with responsibility for public health, well-being and the national drugs strategy, I believe some of the best use of public money in our health service can be seen in spending on programmes that emphasise prevention. One way to avoid the onset of medical conditions is through the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The Healthy Ireland framework, backed by the Healthy Ireland fund, is designed to counteract and prevent negative health outcomes as a result of smoking, alcohol, poor diet and physical inactivity. It also addresses the wider social and environmental factors which impact on health and well-being.

We have gradually increased investment in the Healthy Ireland fund since 2017. In 2023, it was just over €14 million. An additional €2.3 million will be allocated in 2024, bringing the total to €16.5 million for this important initiative. An additional €300,000 has been allocated to facilitate the recruitment of four community food and nutrition workers, which will bring the national complement to 19. These workers are a vital support to local communities in developing responses to food poverty and insecurity. Some €1 million will be provided for the further development of outdoor exercise facilities including GAA walking trails and facilities to support outdoor swimming. Some 22,000 people are expected to engage with HSE anti-smoking services in 2024. A quarter of these people will require medical intervention and supports. A total of €1.82 million is being provided to assist these people in kicking the habit.

The development of a new national sexual health strategy is continuing. The budget for free home sexually transmitted infection testing kits will increase by €700,000. We will also increase funding for our national HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis programme, PrEP, to help to fund additional staff and increase access to PrEP medication.

As part of our response to tackling gambling addiction, some €500,000 will be provided in 2024 to develop supports for the estimated 130,000 people with problems in this area. In the last two years alone, funding for our drug and alcohol services has increased by almost €10 million. Core funding for our drug and alcohol task forces and section 39 organisations has increased.

For the first time, €1.5 million in funding for drug and alcohol education and awareness programmes has been provided. In 2024, we are going to deliver new dual diagnosis hubs, which will support the recovery of young people with drug dependency and mental health issues. There is also dedicated funding for services after people embark on their road to recovery to support their integration into everyday life.

In conclusion, I acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all the workers and professionals in our healthcare system. I thank them for the care they provide to people who are often at their most vulnerable.

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