Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

ELS are extremely important. Let us be clear, we are talking here about the amount of money a Department needs to continue to provide services at the same level. If a Department is given the correct amount of money, it can stand still. Services will be maintained. If, however, a Department is not given enough money, one of two things will happen- either there will be cuts or the Department will run a deficit.

Budget 2024 provided only €708 million to maintain ELS in the health budget. The Minister and I both know that this is not the standstill cost of health. The head of the HSE, Mr. Bernard Gloster, on Tuesday, confirmed to the Joint Committee on Health that unless he makes cuts there is an in-built deficit in the health budget for 2024. Does the Minister disagree with the head of the HSE? Is it not irresponsible and reckless of the Government to knowingly underfund health for 2024 and to force those involved to run a budget deficit?

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