Seanad debates

Wednesday, 26 March 2003

This year we are investing almost €9.2 billion in the health services, which represents an additional €5.7 billion in funding, or overall increase of 162%, since the Government came to power in 1997. When the revised Estimates volume, published in February, is taken into account, the allocation for this year will be 12% above that of last year. The significant increase between the original Estimates last November and the revised volume in February has arisen not least because of pay increases connected with intellectual disability and the impact of benchmarking. Benchmarking will cost the health service this year approximately €185 million. That includes 25% of the benchmarking award plus the arrears. It illustrates how 70% of our budget is directed towards pay.

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