Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

The HSE must live within its budget. It undertakes to provide a quantum of service based on the allocation made. It has been made very clear to the HSE that it must bring these services in on budget by the end of the year.

I agree with Deputy Keaveney's point on the HSE's potential to deal with its current difficulties in another manner. There are several examples of where the HSE could ensure more timely payment of moneys owed to it. The question of delayed payments by private health insurers has been raised on several occasions. It is hard to understand, however, the tardiness of the HSE in pursuing those moneys owed.

There are other options for balancing the books at the end of the year. It is unacceptable the HSE should seek to penalise staff due to be paid for travel-for-work purposes by paying them later. The approach taken by the HSE is neither acceptable to me nor the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly. I am confident this matter can be resolved satisfactorily, however.

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