Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the primary concern of policy determined by her or the Health Service Executive is of an economic nature rather than the need to address the requirements of patients; if, as would appear from recent statements, there is a tendency to place the greater emphasis on the cost regardless of the need to deliver the full spectrum of services as required to the community; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in other jurisdictions a major effort is made to eliminate administration associated with waiting lists and instead concentrate on delivery of services in the first instance thereby creating greater efficiency and patient care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26404/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My first priority is to meet the needs of patients in the safest and most effective way possible. While we must achieve value for money at all times, there is no question of allowing cost considerations to take precedence over the safety and quality of services for patients. As required by the Constitution, publicly funded health services must operate within the voted limits authorised by the Dáil. In the current economic environment, it is particularly important for all agencies to ensure that they provide their services within the budget allocated to them. This will often require difficult decisions regarding priorities, a search for innovative ways of meeting the needs of patients and clients, and a rigorous approach to minimising administrative cost. My Department will continue to work with the HSE, hospitals and other health care providers to achieve these objectives.