Five steps that I hope will replace fear with confidence in our health system

When I went into the Department of Health, I said we had a great opportunity to improve things and really make a difference to people's lives. I said I was up to the challenge and I'm working just as hard today as I was on day one. But in an area as big as Health, you need a clear strategy and a set of targets. That is what I am publishing today.

Irish people have been through a really tough time since the economic crash. Some of the biggest effects were felt in the health service. Our economy is now recovering and the future for Ireland is much brighter. But this Government's work won't be done until people start to feel the recovery, and until we can make visible improvements to our public health services.

Thankfully, we have secured a modest increase in the health budget for 2015. It's the first increase in seven years and allows us to make some targeted improvements, on top of the existing level of service.

We'll also continue with the reform programme, because not everything hinges on more money and resources. There is still lots of room for greater efficiency and innovation in health.

The priorities for 2015 that I and Minister of State at the Department of Health Kathleen Lynch have set out revolve around five themes:

• Improving Ireland's health, because unless we improve our public health and well-being, all the other improvements will prove unsustainable;
• Ensuring better outcomes for patients and strengthening patient safety;
• Modernising health infrastructure, including buildings and information and communications technology;
• Building a system of universal health care, to improve access for everyone to all of our health services;
• Developing innovative funding models.

So what about the specifics? Ireland still has an alcohol problem, so we are publishing legislation to tackle problem drinking. We will take further actions against smoking and obesity.

I will try to take a lead role in promoting greater physical activity and personal health. We will also conduct the first major survey of Ireland's health since the 2007 Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes & Nutrition. This will be repeated every year to give us a regular snapshot of the nation's health.

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Souce:Leo Varadkar, Irish Independent, 23/01/15