The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is probably aware that a plan for three elective hospitals in Cork, Dublin and Galway have been put forward. We urgently need elective beds and an elective hospital in Limerick and the mid-west. Were the Minister for Health to bring forward a proposal for an elective hospital or elective beds in Limerick, is it something the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform would consider?

As the Minister and the Minister for Finance put the final touches to the finance Bill, in welcoming many measures in the budget, could I ask that they use this opportunity, as late in the day as it is, to reverse the decision to place a 10% levy on concrete blocks? As a property professional, I can tell the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that the proposal is counterproductive to the Government's own balance sheet and to our policy to promote housing. In addition, will the Minister also use the opportunity to extend the very welcome €500 tax relief on rental properties to the many parents throughout the country who are paying exorbitant accommodation costs for students? The Minister might take these points on board as the final touches are put to the Finance Bill, as I think the public would greatly welcome them. We are not talking about a very significant amount of money, namely, €80 million on the blocks scheme and €500 for our students nationally, who are paying up to €1,300 per month on rent. I am sure the Minister would agree with me that it is needed.

I reassure Deputy MacSharry and all colleagues in the House that the Minister for Finance will give careful consideration, as will the Government, to all of the issues that have been raised regarding the levy. That said, we must raise money to ensure we can fund what is a major remediation programme in respect of mica and the State must make decisions as to how it responds to the apartment defects report as well. Deputy MacSharry and other Deputies have made a number of points in this regard and I am sure he will engage when the Finance Bill comes here on Second Stage and goes on to Committee and Report Stages. The Minister for Finance will consider those points carefully in addition to the rental tax credit, which must be embedded in primary legislation in the form of the Finance Bill. That will provide an opportunity for parliamentary engagement.

In response to Deputy O'Donnell, I understand that the Minister for Health will be bringing proposals to the Government shortly in respect of certain elective hospital projects. The specific case raised by the Deputy is best left to the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to come back to the Deputy having consulted with the HSE.