Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to clarify my point on controls and cuts to services. I do not want the perception to go out that if savings have to be made during the year, they will come from cuts to services. If Mr. Reid is saying that is not the case, that is fine. The reality is the cuts to services come when the budget is allocated initially at the start of the year when the service plan is being drafted. The HSE has to cut several areas to meet the budget allocation given. Mr. Reid may say there will be no cuts to services throughout the year based on the budget the HSE has been given. However, I would challenge anyone who would claim that the budget the HSE gets to deliver adequate services to the community is not hampered by the budget given by the Department. It is clear services are being cut right across the board.