Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Cullinane for his question on the ESRI Report ‘The National Development Plan in 2023: Priorities and Capacity’.

I welcome its publication.

My Department has only just received the report. My officials and I will be giving careful consideration to its findings in preparation for engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in the updating of NDP ceilings out to 2026.

I am pleased to note that many of the Report’s findings are based on my Department’s in-house published analysis and spending reviews, which are heavily cited throughout the document. This includes:

• The recent increase and ageing of our population means that the projected demand for healthcare in the coming years will increase significantly.
• This recent increase in demand for healthcare will need to be matched by increases in capacity across the sector.
• The importance of addressing regional investment in a balanced manner, taking into consideration strategic priorities.

I welcome that the Report underscores and reiterates the position of my Department, validates the analysis undertaken and that has shaped wok to develop a Strategic Health Investment Framework under development by my officials.

The Report also notes that Irish healthcare expenditure lagged behind other European countries for a number of years, which is a point I have acted and continue to seek to address as Minster for Health with Government colleagues for the capital planning and delivery.

I, and my officials, have worked closely with the HSE to develop a well-thought-out capital plan for the coming years with significant ambitions in terms of health infrastructural investment.

I will also be engaging with my Cabinet colleagues around setting future policy priorities including health and funding needs.