Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Howlin, told Deputy Kelleher in a parliamentary question that the published forecast outturn for 2015 gross current health expenditure includes provision for a Supplementary Estimate of €600 million. There is a lack of clarity about the final figure in a reply on 4 November and the Minister said the final figure would need to reflect the latest view of HSE year-end performance and that it is too early at this stage to assess accurately the projected overall deficit for 2015. That was earlier this month. I did raise with the Taoiseach yesterday that hospitals around the country are still waiting for news of the Supplementary Estimate in so far as how it affects their acute hospitals and whether the deficits they currently have or are projecting will be met in total out of the €600 million. It is a very serious issue going into next year, because the EU fiscal rules do not allow for over-expenditure or Supplementary Estimates. When will we have the presentation of the health Supplementary Estimate to the Dáil and will a debate be facilitated when that is produced? I also want to seek clarity on the legislative programme as regards the one-year bankruptcy issue and the legislation that was produced by Deputy Penrose and accepted.

Yesterday, in his reply, the Taoiseach stated that the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, had proposals to bring to the Dáil arising out of the Oireachtas committee's report. I am seeking to ascertain the status of the Bill that is already on the Order Paper to provide for a one-year bankruptcy law. Is the Government favourably disposed to that and is it of a mind to allow that Bill to be passed through the Oireachtas before the end of this legislative session? I would appreciate it if the Taoiseach could address the specifics of the Bill produced by Deputy Penrose - the Minister may have separate plans - and provide clarity on it in terms of the legislative programme and the Government's legislative intentions in that regard.

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