Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Will the Minister for Health outline his views on whether the HSE will be within its budget in 2018? I am asking in view of the commentary by the director general of the HSE and the concerns consistently expressed from this side of the House on the aspirational elements of the budget that incorporate savings identified. Clearly, these elements will not be delivered. Indeed, it is already being said that the targets will be singularly challenging to deliver and that some are in fact more strategic and long-term in nature. Already, sizable amounts of savings must be realised to deliver the services outlined in the service plan.

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