Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept what the Minister of State has said. I know who writes this stuff and it is not true. It does not reflect reality. There is a three-month delay in approving the national service plan and we know why that was. It was because there were serious concerns about underfunding of the plan. We have known for a long time that the population is increasing and ageing and that there is growing demand for services. It was spelt out very clearly last March that the budget provided was not sufficient to meet demand for services. Stephen Mulvany of the HSE had heated exchanges with the Secretary General, as he was not prepared to engage in the pretence that there was enough money there. What he and Mr. Lenihan predicted has been borne out.

I asked if the Minister of State could tell me the current projected deficit to year end. What deficit is expected and how is it going to be met?

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