Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On the first matter, the National Treasury Management Agency has a continuing responsibility and is in constant contact with all the relevant institutions, including the Department of Finance, on these matters and the Minister of Finance is directing work in that area on an ongoing basis.

The second matter is being considered by the HSE and the Minister for Health and Children. It is important to point out that over €14.7 billion is being spent on health services this year, an increase, taking account of the nursing homes repayment scheme, of €580 million compared to last year.

It is a question of seeing what way budgets can be continued with on the basis of pressures relating to a reduced health levy, higher unemployment, the higher number of medical cards that will emerge as a result of the worsening economic situation and the other issues that obviously bring pressures to bear on budgets, in addition to other matters. The full gamut of pressures that are arising must be addressed by the HSE.

Deputy Kenny speaks about the consequences, but the consequences of not maintaining budgets is another issue that we must take into account also. Considerable savings in terms of value for money were found last year, totalling €280 million, which continue into this year. In its service plan, the HSE is seeking a further €250 million. It requires co-operation and assistance from everybody in the health service to meet this challenge. I ask in that context that we see the Health Service Executive supported in trying to maintain health services within the allocations we provided, given the deteriorating financial situation in which we find ourselves.

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