Mr. Jim Breslin:

Generally, the process would be that the HSE would do many of the calculations around both - the cost of delivering the existing services and other priority initiatives that might be undertaken. The Department would take a view on that, working with the HSE, based on our own calculations and information sources.

That would form part of a negotiation process led by the Minister for Health with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that would lead to an Estimates settlement that would be voted on in the Oireachtas. Prior to 1 January, that Vote went directly to the HSE from the Oireachtas with the director general of the HSE as Accounting Officer. Since 1 January this year that money passes through the Department of Health Vote and then we allocate it to the HSE as part of an allocation. That would be a more normal funding arrangement between a Department and an agency.