The Government health policy is a shambles, Labour’s spokesperson on Health, Ms Liz McManus said at the launch of the party’s manifesto proposals on Health and Education.
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Labour’s spokesperson on Health, Ms Liz McManus
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She announced the party’s plans for health service reform today saying the Government had five years to tackle hospital waiting lists and the crisis in accident and emergency wards but had failed. "Nobody can take seriously their promise that they will now do it in two years," she said.
The party proposed universal health insurance and free GP service for all. Ms McManus said the "old excuse" of there not being enough money to provide a quality service was no longer valid.
She said the proposals would be "value for money" by reducing the burden on the hospital service and provide same level of care on an equitable basis.
A comprehensive review of services for those with mental handicap and improvements in treatment for mental health patients also formed part of their strategy.
The party’s education spokesperson, Ms Roisin Shortall said juvenile crime was linked to educational disadvantage. "If we want to reduce the number of children who get caught up in criminal activity we must tackle the root causes, and educational disadvantage is chief amongst them," she said.
The deep social inequalities that exist in Irish society are intrinsically related to educational disadvantage. Despite the enormous resources at its disposal this Government has singularly failed to tackle this crucial issue," she continued.
Ms Shortall also committed Labour to guaranteeing all children between three and four a pre-school place for a year before they enter primary education.
She said fundraising should not be the job of teachers, parents and pupils and that Labour would increase capitation levels for both primary and secondary schools. She also pledged to tackle "the scandal of run down, ramshackle school buildings".