Why does nobody disagree with the Fiscal Council's report?

[Sophrosyne]

One of the reasons for the problems in the h/c system is that the price levels are so high.

The price level of hospital services is 181% of the EU average in 2011.

So even though we spend a lot, we get less, as the price level is so high.

See here:

Interesting report @Protocol. Is that the latest available?

The amount of notes and qualifications show just how difficult it is to compare healthcare costs across countries.

 

[Protocol]

This seems to be a follow-up, with 2014 data?

https://www.oecd.org/health/health-systems/International-Comparisons-of-Health-Prices-and-Volumes-New-Findings.pdf

2014 hosp PL is at 125% of the OECD average

2014 health PL is at 141% of the OECD average.

 

[WolfeTone]

Ah there is. Pascal in trying to keep the lid on things and, taking everything into account, is doing a good job.

You didn't read the FAC Assessment then? (neither did I) but here is the Summary.

Fiscal Assessment Report, June 2019 – Irish Fiscal Advisory Council

www.fiscalcouncil.ie

Its hard to equate "debt remains high"..."the Government has allowed a pattern of spending drift in recent years"...."Depsite favourable upswing...there has been no improvement in the budget balance...", with "doing a good job".
If the objective set out here is to find ways to reduce the national debt, then the Government is doing a terrible job. That said, I am of the view that trying to reduce the national debt by any significant amount (let alone by €150bn as has been mentioned) would be futile and counter-productive.
The best we can hope for is to limit the rate of increasing debt to as close to zero as possible, but absolutely below levels of economic growth.

 

[Purple]

Pascal has kept a relative lid on the biggest cause of our economic woes; public sector pay and pensions.
Unfortunately the richest and most selfish group in society still get their fiver every budget.

 

[WolfeTone]

Pascal has kept a relative lid on the biggest cause of our economic woes; public sector pay and pensions.
Unfortunately the richest and most selfish group in society still get their fiver every budget.

Such sentiment simply demonstrates the limits, and subsequently the deficiency of the FAC.