James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

It was stated that the impact of the cuts will be immense. I was asked what the difference was between the plan I sent back and the plan we ended up with. The difference was clear. The first plan was moving more in a linear fashion in terms of an 8% cut resulting in an 8% reduction in services, which was not acceptable. We now have a situation whereby cuts are minimised and there is no linear relationship between cuts and a reduction in services in that savings have to be made and efficiencies have to be achieved, and they will be. Members may have seen an article in yesterday's Irish Independent by Ms Eilish O'Regan to the effect that a procedure carried out by a GP was half the price charged in a private hospital. She also stated that the cost of having a procedure carried out in some public hospitals costs up to nine times more than that charged by a GP. That is a gross waste of scarce taxpayers' money. This is being addressed through treatment of patients at the lowest level of complexity that is safe, timely, efficient and as near to home as possible.

Senator Kelly referred to my texting while he was speaking. I was trying to get information on the issue he was raising. Discussion on the ambulance base is currently ongoing but I am unable to respond to the Senator's question in that regard. I will get the information and communicate it to the Senator. This issue was also raised with me by Deputy Feighan as late as this afternoon.