Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The overspend at the end of August is €343 million on the HSE subheads. I want to reaffirm to the Deputy what I said before the summer, which is that a Supplementary Estimate for the health Vote will be needed. As for what the final figure will be, I am still working with the Department of Health to clarify the final figure because it will be a crucial input into my budgetary framework. I have not informed Cabinet or elsewhere regarding what that figure will be because the work is under way but in the last number of years we have brought in Supplementary Estimates of between €500 million and €600 million. I expect and know that, nearer budget day, I will be able to confirm what that is. One of the key pieces that is requiring a lot of work from me at the moment is that much of this depends on the kind of activity we expect to happen in the fourth quarter, and where we are going to be in terms of planned recruitment. All that work is still under way in terms of what impact it will have on the budgetary position.