Menu
15/03/2016
Fianna Fáil Raise Concerns Over HSE Budget
Fianna Fáil has raised concerns of the HSE budget for 2016 and called on the Minister for Health to make a statement on the current situation.
Health spokesperson Billy Kelleher voiced his concerns following newspaper reports alleging that the HSE has warned the Government of a risk that it could overrun its budget by up to €500 million this year.
Deputy Kelleher said: "It seems extraordinary that the HSE should be raising warnings at such an early stage given the increase of €800 million or so that it received for 2016. The scale of this increase basically provided the 2016 supplementary in advance.
"The Minister for Health should make an immediate statement on this and outline what plans his department has in the event of such an overrun. We also need to hear whether the €35 million allocated for mental health will be provided or if it will fall victim to budgetary pressures."
The Cork North Central TD also repeated his call for greater consultation in advance of the next budget.
"Last summer, the Director General of the HSE made a detailed financial submission to the Department of Health for the funding required for our health services.
"Yet this was never discussed in the Oireachtas prior to the October budget. Instead the document was leaked to the media and rejected in a doorstep interview by the Minister Howlin.
"Prior to the next Budget, and well in advance of the summer recess, the Oireachtas Health Committee should have extensive hearings and discussions with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive as to what is required to meet both the demographic demand and unmet needs so that all areas of proposed expenditure can be fully examined and scrutinised.
"In particular, the HSE should be invited to make a submission to the Oireachtas Health Committee, similar to what went to the Department of Health last August, so that health expenditure requirements can be extensively debated and analysed in advance of the October budget."
(MH/JP)
Health spokesperson Billy Kelleher voiced his concerns following newspaper reports alleging that the HSE has warned the Government of a risk that it could overrun its budget by up to €500 million this year.
Deputy Kelleher said: "It seems extraordinary that the HSE should be raising warnings at such an early stage given the increase of €800 million or so that it received for 2016. The scale of this increase basically provided the 2016 supplementary in advance.
"The Minister for Health should make an immediate statement on this and outline what plans his department has in the event of such an overrun. We also need to hear whether the €35 million allocated for mental health will be provided or if it will fall victim to budgetary pressures."
The Cork North Central TD also repeated his call for greater consultation in advance of the next budget.
"Last summer, the Director General of the HSE made a detailed financial submission to the Department of Health for the funding required for our health services.
"Yet this was never discussed in the Oireachtas prior to the October budget. Instead the document was leaked to the media and rejected in a doorstep interview by the Minister Howlin.
"Prior to the next Budget, and well in advance of the summer recess, the Oireachtas Health Committee should have extensive hearings and discussions with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive as to what is required to meet both the demographic demand and unmet needs so that all areas of proposed expenditure can be fully examined and scrutinised.
"In particular, the HSE should be invited to make a submission to the Oireachtas Health Committee, similar to what went to the Department of Health last August, so that health expenditure requirements can be extensively debated and analysed in advance of the October budget."
(MH/JP)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 April 2016
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
04 April 2012
Investigations Continue Into Influenza Outbreak
The Public Health Department of HSE North West have deployed a team of medical doctors, nurses and surveillance scientists to the Nazareth private nursing home, Buncrana, County Donegal in order to control and manage the situation and to put all appropriate treatment and control measures in place. Six people have died within a two week period.
Investigations Continue Into Influenza Outbreak
The Public Health Department of HSE North West have deployed a team of medical doctors, nurses and surveillance scientists to the Nazareth private nursing home, Buncrana, County Donegal in order to control and manage the situation and to put all appropriate treatment and control measures in place. Six people have died within a two week period.
03 August 2012
Health Committee Must Reconvene To Question Reilly – FF Leader
The Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin has called on the Oireachtas Health Committee to reconvene as soon as possible to investigate fresh revelations about a deepening budget crisis in the health service. Deputy Martin said: "This is an urgent matter that cannot wait until after the summer.
Health Committee Must Reconvene To Question Reilly – FF Leader
The Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin has called on the Oireachtas Health Committee to reconvene as soon as possible to investigate fresh revelations about a deepening budget crisis in the health service. Deputy Martin said: "This is an urgent matter that cannot wait until after the summer.
25 May 2016
Mental Health Funding Must Be Repaid - Labour
Funding taken from the mental health budget must be paid back, Labour TD Jan O'Sullivan has said. Deputy O'Sullivan made the call while speaking in a Dáil debate on mental health, where she said that €12m taken from the mental health budget this year, could not be allowed to fall into "the black hole of the general Health budget".
Mental Health Funding Must Be Repaid - Labour
Funding taken from the mental health budget must be paid back, Labour TD Jan O'Sullivan has said. Deputy O'Sullivan made the call while speaking in a Dáil debate on mental health, where she said that €12m taken from the mental health budget this year, could not be allowed to fall into "the black hole of the general Health budget".
25 August 2015
Govt Called To Provide Additional Funding For Mental Health Services
The Mental Health Reform is calling on the Government to provide a minimum of €35 million additional funding for mental health services. Mental health activists from across Dublin have joined Mental Health Reform at Leinster House to launch a campaign for mental health funding in Budget 2016.
Govt Called To Provide Additional Funding For Mental Health Services
The Mental Health Reform is calling on the Government to provide a minimum of €35 million additional funding for mental health services. Mental health activists from across Dublin have joined Mental Health Reform at Leinster House to launch a campaign for mental health funding in Budget 2016.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with good clear spells bringing a rural frost for some and some fog patches in places. Cloudier around the coast of Country Down where the odd light shower may develop. Northerly breezes persisting. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
