Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

140. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of running the health service in each of the years 2011 to 2017 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21580/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The budget for the health service for the years 2011 - 2017 is set out in the following table:

As the Deputy will appreciate, comparing health expenditure across countries is not a clear cut process, and there are a variety of ways of measuring health spend. In addition, in the case of Ireland, the health budget includes significant expenditure on personal social services, such as long term care for older people and people with disabilities, which are not a feature of other health systems such as the NHS.

It is, however clear to us all that we will need to make significant and sustainable investments and reforms across the health service if we are to meet the impending challenges of a growing and aging population.

The Sláintecare report provides for this. We want a health service that provides better and timelier access to health service, has better patient outcomes and also one that deliver value for money. To do this, there is a need for a fundamental change in how and where we deliver services.