Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Byrne spoke about education. Another really important part of the capital budget is the €53 million that is being provided for further education for the first time.It was zero last year, so that will be a huge benefit. There will also be more than 6,000 new apprenticeships.

I will touch upon the VAT issue quickly because a number of people raised it. There was a choice to be made and we chose to leave it because we consider that prudent. There is price gouging but it is too risky at this stage to do something about it. It may happen in other budgets. If it happens, it happens.

Senator O'Sullivan referred to the cardiac care centre for the south east. I will not go against the medical evidence. I am not capable of interpreting or qualified to interpret the medical evidence. Experts do that. There is a national strategy for cardiac care which I support.

I am surprised that Senator Devine said nothing happened in housing or health. Good Lord. There is an additional sum of €685 million but she says nothing happened. She cannot stick her head in the sand and say that this is not the biggest health budget ever.