Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I am replying to this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, and I thank the Senator for raising it.

In view of the current budgetary and financial position the efficiency of services is being reviewed by the HSE. The Minister has emphasised to the HSE that budgetary compliance must be maintained alongside the delivery of service levels set out in the national service plan. In this regard the minor injury unit, MIU, in Monaghan General Hospital was analysed by the HSE in terms of risk assessment, patient activity levels, staff resources, service impact and service unit cost. The review was undertaken in the context of addressing levels of agency and overtime costs in the Cavan-Monaghan hospital group.