FF plans health service reforms

Fianna Fáil has claimed it will not rely on a range of tax hikes to reform the health service if it gains power after the next general election, saying a €320m hole in its annual investment plans will be funded by taking money from other government areas.

Health spokesman Billy Kelleher outlined the plan at the launch of the party’s health policy document yesterday.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland, the Cork North Central TD announced plans for hospital doctors to work seven-day rosters, an increase in consultant salaries to keep them in this country and to retain the HSE.

Mr Kelleher also said the controversial €2.50 prescription drugs charge would be abolished on a phased basis, that 200 more consultants will be appointed and that a national mental health authority will be set up with a ringfenced budget.

The opposition TD said he will retain the Government’s plans for free GP care for the under-sixes and scrap the coalition’s universal health insurance plans as they could cost families up to €8,000 a year.

However, despite saying his own policy document will need a €450m funding increase to work, the origin of just €128m of this annual figure has been outlined through a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks (€58m), drugs budget savings (€50m) and agency staff reforms (€20m).

Mr Kelleher said the extra funding will come through the central exchequer and “doesn’t need to come from increased taxation”.

When asked if this means the money will be transferred from other government departments, he said that he wants to prioritise the spending of taxes “in key areas” and a “€2bn slush fund” in extra taxes is already available this year.

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