Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

The statements are in the Book of Estimates. More than €460 million will be spent on disadvantage next year. That is a colossal amount by any standards. There is an 8% increase in spending on adult education. There will be an increase in the quality of adult guidance, adult literacy, the VTOS programme and child care facilities. This is mentioned in the Estimates. I worked in that sector and I am aware that there was a slowdown in the programmes. Thankfully, however, the money is available now and it will be focused on this area.

The health sector is also a serious concern of mine. I am delighted with the increase in medical card services. People will be able to attend a general practitioner rather than accident and emergency departments. There is also an increase in the number of frontline staff, such as nurses, dentists, orthodontists and so forth. These are areas which required attention and I congratulate the Minister on the fact that they are detailed in the Book of Estimates and that they will receive attention.

I wish to put down a marker regarding the radiotherapy unit in Waterford. I am a native of Waterford and I ask the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, to convey a message to the Minister for Health and Children. This unit is necessary for Waterford.