Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to discuss the Department of Health. The reason for the overspend last year as well as this year is, as we know from statements issued by the Department, the demand for services. As such, these are not once-off costs but are costs which will continue to apply in the next and subsequent years. The Department estimates that we are looking at an overrun to the end of June of €300 million with some suggestions that the Department may seek a Supplementary Estimate at the end of the year of close to €600 million. Surely, that will have an impact on next year's budgets. While I acknowledge that most of the costs have to be borne by the Department itself and that other Departments may not spend all of their budget allocations, I would like the Minister to outline whether this will have an impact in any way on the fiscal space of €800 million for next year. Is it possible it could impact on that?

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