Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

115. To ask the Minister for Health if she supports single tier universal healthcare provided to all on the basis of need, not ability to pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9944/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Programme for Government commits to achieving accessible, affordable, and high quality healthcare for all through the ongoing implementation of Sláintecare and supported by sustained investment and leadership.

I will shortly be bringing to the Government a new multiannual plan for the implementation of Sláintecare for the period 2025 onwards which will set out the pathway towards achieving universal healthcare. This will include measures designed to improve access to world class patient care, reduce waiting times and further cut the cost of accessing care. It will build on the Sláintecare progress made to date, including in 2024:

• Significant reductions in the cumulative daily trolley count in 2024, with numbers down 11% vis a vis 2023 despite an 8% increase in the number of patients presenting to Emergency Departments.
• 12% reduction in the total number of patients waiting over 12 months since December 2023, and a corresponding reduction of c. 20% in the number waiting over 18 months.
• With 95% of GPs signed up to the CDM programme and over 645,000 patient reviews by GPs in 2024, 92% of patients registered on the programme are now fully managed routinely in primary care and are not attending hospital for ongoing management of their chronic condition.
• 2,770 consultants had signed the Public Only Consultant Contract (POCC).
• Further expand eligibility measures in previous years, including expanded free contraception scheme for women all those aged 17-35.