Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Having studied the financial situation and having got people who would be far better at finance than I am to look at it, this is a no-brainer because if we have to provide that service through the HSE, it will inevitably cost the State a lot more than it would cost to come to an agreement with St. John of God. I am not standing up here today advocating for St. John of God. I am advocating for the service users. The right thing to do is knock the heads of the HSE, the Government and those who hold the purse strings together. St. John of God is poised to be the best option to provide the service because it is giving it as it is. To allow for continuity of service and care, the right thing to do is to negotiate. Yes, we must negotiate as hard as we can because we are trying to protect the State's money but money should not be the priority. The service users should be the priority. I am very grateful for the Taoiseach's response but I plead with him to ensure that heads will be knocked together to give peace of mind to everybody involved.

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