Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply, most of which I already put on the public record in my opening contribution. While I acknowledge that €1 in every €8 is spent on medicines, medicines are what cure people. Therefore, that is not necessarily a huge spend. What was disappointing in budget 2024 in the area of health - and there was a lot that was disappointing - was the fact that no provision was made for orphan and new medicines. It was only when there was an outcry that the Minister suddenly found €20 million and instructed the HSE to find another €10 million.

I want to see a change in attitude. I want to see this working group implement the recommendations of the Mazars report, but I also want a mindset change when it comes to budgets. We started with great guns in the four-year agreement with €50 million. It was fantastic and great statement of intent but we have ended up four years later with nothing being provided in the budget. I want a commitment from the Minister that there will be multi-annual funding of €30 million to €50 million going forward because ultimately it will achieve efficiencies and longer lifespans for our citizens. It will keep people out of hospital and, more important, it will give people quality of life. We have all seen campaigns for certain medicines to be recognised and the difference they make in the quality of life of really sick people. This is what it is about. It is not about money or whether €1 in every €8 of the health budget is spent on medicines. It is about quality of life and investing in the health of our nation and our citizens.