Fine Gael Health spokesperson Mr Gay Mitchell has claimed the Government’s recently unveiled health strategy will effectively not begin until 2003.
Mr Mitchell claimed the Government’s claims of extra spending for 2002 were largely false.
"The proposed spending over 2002, while it is greater than that budgeted for 2001, is hardly different to what was actually spent in 2001. So the strategy is really ‘on ice’ for 2002," he said.
Mr Mitchell also condemned the fact the medical card income limits will not be adjusted for next year.
"That will actually take a substantial number of people out of the medical system, and no new people will go in. Therefore, the people most in need will have to wait."
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Children said only that the Minister of Finance will be announcing the funding for health in 2002 in the context of the budget speech tomorrow night.