Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before the Minister addresses those questions, I have one or two questions as well. The Minister stated that this year the anticipated level of overspend by the HSE is linked to the impact of 2017 pay agreements, which the health service has no funding for. I understand that. Deputy Durkan referred to the State Claims Agency requiring an extra €50 million so I know the Minister will address that. Expenditure in a number of service areas is over budget so will the Minister address what service areas they are?

Where is the funding for the cross-border directive procedures coming from?

Does it come from the Health Service Executive, HSE, or is it a separate fund? Will it be an increasing charge on the State such as the reduction in the payments coming from insurance companies, which I presume will intensify as time goes on because they will be advising patients on their rights as public patients as opposed to private patients?

The Minister referred in his statement to the provision of additional hospital capacity. He might outline the additional hospital capacity to which he is referring, which I presume is bed numbers. He referred also to measures in primary care. What are those measures?