Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It is unbecoming of the Deputy to accuse the Minister for Health of being dishonest in the presentation of the Estimate for his Department for the budget for 2012. That is not in keeping with the Deputy's normal behaviour. Clearly, the HSE is facing a serious challenge this year. Its performance report for April shows a net deficit of €200 million, of which hospitals account for €106 million, while community services have overspent by €57 million, of which some €13 million relates to child care services. The primary care reimbursement service, including medical card services, is showing a deficit of €45 million.

The HSE has outlined possible approaches to dealing with the financial position, including reduced use of agency staff and implementing reforms under the Croke Park agreement to achieve more cost-effective use of human resources. It has submitted a mid-year cost-containment proposal which the Department of Health and the Minister are considering. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department has indicated that 70% of the HSE's €13 billion budget is accounted for by pay. Of this, 18% is classified as non-core, including overtime and premium payments and allowances paid to staff. In a health service that must run an effective 24-7 service, it is imperative that ways be found to address the growing deficit.

I do not accept the Deputy's assertion that the Minister was dishonest in presenting the Estimate for his Department for this year. It is a fact of life that every Minister must work hard to ensure the ceilings and proposals for his or her Department's budget for 2012 are adhered to. The Minister is working hard, both within the Department and with the HSE, to address the deficit.

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