Sláintecare implementation
Micheál Martin asked when the Sláintecare action plan would be published and debated, arguing the plan lacked clear funding and a credible timeline. The Taoiseach said the implementation office, director and framework were in place, the action plan would be published before year-end, and any debate timetable was for the Business Committee.
We will now proceed to next item of business, Questions on Promised Legislation, for which 30 minutes is allocated. I note 18 Deputies are offering.
Comment on this
Regarding the implementation of Sláintecare, when will the detailed action plan relating to the report be published and debated at length in the House? There are many issues regarding whether Sláintecare will be followed seriously, given the meagre resources allocated towards its implementation in 2019 compared to its financial implications. The costings of it are significant, even though we have not been given comprehensive costings. A timeline for implementation and a sense of a sincere approach to the implementation of the plan are required because there is considerable scepticism about the Government's commitment to it.
Comment on this
The Sláintecare implementation office has been established, the director has been appointed, the implementation framework has been published and the action plan will be published before the end of the year. A decision on time to debate any matter in the Dáil is a matter for the Business Committee but I am sure we would be happy to facilitate that. There is a perception, which I am sure the Deputy knows is incorrect, that the €20 million set aside next year for Sláintecare implementation is all that is set aside for it. There is a lot more to it than that. There is a big increase in the capital budget and a big part of Sláintecare involves investment in new IT, new capacity such as bed capacity and primary care centres. There is also money in it to reduce prescription charges for people who have medical cards and people who do not. There is money in it to extend eligibility for the GP visit card and increasing the income eligibility limits. There are other investments as well. Nobody should make the mistake of thinking the €20 million is all that is set aside in 2019 for Sláintecare. There is a raft of measures ranging from capital spending to eligibility for medical cards and reduced prescription charges. All of those are Sláintecare measures.