Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am as wise now as when I started. I accept that the Minister of State who is not attached to the Department of Health has read a prepared script given to him by the Department, but the questions I asked were very specific. Will the post be filled immediately and, if not, when will it be filled? I did not receive any indication of this but heard why it had not been filled because of the recruitment embargo. We are trying to save money, but only one third of the salary is being saved because staff leave on a pension of 50% and we are losing tax on the other 50%. Because most of those who work in public services are on very high salaries, they pay tax at a rate 41%. Therefore, a saving of only 30% is achieved in letting staff go. The problem is that salaries and pensions are far too high, an issue which is not being addressed. Until we address it, problems such as this will continue to arise. We are consigning people with diabetes to developing foot ulcers, undergoing amputations and receiving disability payments. It does not make financial sense and makes no sense in promoting the well-being and health of those unfortunate enough to have diabetes. I, therefore, ask the Minister of State to take this issue to the Cabinet table to get the Cabinet to adopt a sensible approach on the policies it is implementing in this sector.