Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I certainly acknowledge that there is a risk of a deficit for 2024. It would not be credible if we were to fail to acknowledge such a risk in light of the recent history of Supplementary Estimates being needed for the Department of Health over many years and those Supplementary Estimates being in the context of either deficits or new policy measures being taken by the Department with, of course, the support of the Government. From a funding point of view, however, I would make the case that the level of funding that we are now investing in the health service, at €22.5 billion, is exceptionally high. To put it in context, in 2016, the equivalent figure stood at €11.8 billion. We have seen a huge increase in funding that is needed for health service in recent years.

See this speech in context