Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. Does he agree it is wonderful to see the welcome for this Bill across the Chamber? It is fantastic to see it. My question is on the Government commitment to provide approximately €30 million to cover the costs that would have been coming in from the €80 fee. I know that we have the highest ever budget in healthcare, at almost €23 billion. It is driving many of the crucial changes we are seeing. The Minister referenced other areas where we have seen real progress. I acknowledge the work and support we have received in our local area, CHO 2, from the Minister and from the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. The allocation of approximately €436,000 for Westdoc has made a huge difference in our area.

It is hard to underestimate the challenges we have with recruitment and retention of GPs in rural areas. I know that the retention of health professionals in regional areas crops up for the Minister across many different areas and in different fields. I have a number of questions on GP access to community diagnostics. It is excellent and was brought in during the winter to handle the steep pressures in GP practices. I know that was for people with medical cards and GP visit cards. I know it will be moving to another phase soon. Is there any other information? This is an area where GPs would have been able to access X-rays, CT scans and MRI scans through private providers and some hospitals.

I also want to highlight the €100 million for new medicines, which the Minister has mentioned. One in three of the medicines being covered are orphan drugs for rare diseases. There is a new cross-party committee on that. I want to welcome Kaftrio and what was done with Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. There was a huge campaign for 35 children outside of those lists. It is great to see waiting lists falling, as the Minister has mentioned. There are lots of different initiatives. Would the Minister like to comment on how the National Treatment Purchase Fund scheme is operating? How is the cross-border directive helping to reduce those waiting lists?

Finally, on the question of capital infrastructure in my area, I am again advocating for emergency departments in regional areas. We saw huge pressure on Portiuncula Hospital last Christmas. We see investment in our GPs, but there is still a high level of presentation coming into our emergency departments, particularly Portiuncula Hospital, which handles parts of five counties. The challenge is for staff working in tight spaces who have been facing burnout in recent months. Any supports around modular infrastructure next Christmas would be very welcome. I thank the Minister for this good news.