Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

I move recommendation No. 2:

In page 25, between lines 45 and 46, to insert the following:

21.—The Minister may, by regulations, and after consultation with the Minister for Health, introduce specific reliefs to help equip Primary Care Centres with appropriate diagnostic and treatment facilities where he is satisfied that they bring

commensurate social benefits in the more effective provision of health services.".

I have resubmitted this recommendation because there was a lot of discussion about primary care and the need for funding, as this aspect forms part of Government policy. There seems to be confusion about the way in which primary care centres should be funded. It is regrettable that the Minister for Finance has not accepted a recommendation on this issue, as it affects Government policy to a significant degree. It is not the same as funding hotels or other properties. This would not a property-based tax relief; the aim is to provide for the provision of equipment in new primary care centres to ensure they work for the people.