De Búrca says increase in cancer services, elderly care and drug strategy budgets welcome
Green Party Health and Children spokesperson Senator Déirdre de Búrca has welcomed the provision of €16.2 billion for Health in 2008, saying the 9 percent increase in funding was significant, despite budgetary constraints.
Senator de Búrca said: ‘’Of the total €16.2 billion , over €700 million will be for the capital programme. The figure announced also represents €374 million over the Pre-Budget Estimates in the gross expenditure for the Health and Children Budget.
‘’I welcome the targeted budget increase at those areas that are of particular public concern.Given the serious problems that have been exposed in our Cancer Services over recent months, the Green Party welcomes the €29 million euro that has been allocated towards the roll-out of cancer services including the National Screening Services and Radiation Oncology Services. The Minister for Finance Brian Cowen has recognised that the public need to see that resources are being targeted at this area, despite the prevailing economic circumstances.
“I welcome the €110 million that has been provided for the introduction of the new long-term residential care scheme, ‘a Fair Deal’, in 2008. The additional €25 million that has been allocated for elder care will include the provision of home care packages and other important community support services. I also welcome the €50 million addition for the Disability sector will help fund a range of services for people with disabilities.
“The Budget has provided €12.5 million to fund the implementation of the recommendations of the National Drug Strategy Rehabilitation Report. This additional funding will allow for the development and strengthening of the local Drugs Task Forces and for the roll-out of services to new commuter-belt towns. Given the evidence of widespread abuse of recreational drugs in our society and the high-profile emergencies that have resulted from the toxic effect of some of these drugs, the continued resourcing of the Drugs Task Forces through this Budget is very welcome.”
For further information please call
Senator Déirdre de Búrca on (086) 806 14 50
