The provision for health spending is more than €10 billion, an increase of €739 million, or 8%, over the forecast outturn for 2003. Cumulative spending on health from 1997 to 2004 has been €53,000 million and the share of total national public expenditure on health has increased from 19.2% in 1997 to 24.9% in 2004. This investment has resulted in real improvements in the delivery of front-line health services.