Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I cannot be definitive on whether there will be a Supplementary Estimate for the health area. I can tell the Deputy that the most recent figures we have, which I just published last week, show that every line Department is within profile, either below its voted expenditure limits by the end of September or on target. Out of an amount in excess of €6.9 billion, the Department of Health was €1 million off target, and we will have to monitor that between now and the end of the year. As the Deputy knows, health is a very volatile area in terms of demand. We do not know whether there will be a winter vomiting bug or something else that would dislodge matters, but as of now the Department is on target, and I hope that will be the case for it. I will forward the Deputy a breakdown of the €300 million savings figure arising out of pay if he is interested in how we apportioned it for the year. It might be helpful in pursing this in committee where there is more time to pursue these matters.

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