Written answers

Thursday, 18 December 2008

Department of Health and Children

Departmental Expenditure

5:00 pm

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the estimate provided by the Health Service Executive as part of the 2009 estimates process, to her Department and the Department of Finance, of the cost of delivering the existing level of service in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47468/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The gross current allocation in 2009 for the Health Service Executive (HSE) is €14,791m, an increase of €454m or 3.2% on the 2008 provision. The objective set by the Government for the HSE is to maintain services in both hospital and community settings and to expand certain services, in particular cancer services and services for children with disabilities. These objectives are reflected in the Executive's Service Plan which I approved last week.

In the course of the discussions which were carried out between the HSE, my Department and the Department of Finance, the HSE identified a range of issues which gave rise to service pressures and which would have to be addressed in the context of the Estimates for the Executive in 2009. These were additional costs arising from demographic changes, increasing costs in relation to community schemes and in particular community drug services, additional pay costs, inflation, the full year cost of developments initiated in 2008 and the cost of implementing service developments deferred in 2008.

The Estimate for the HSE was determined against the background of very challenging circumstances facing the Public Finances. In this context my Department and the HSE identified a range of measures that the HSE had to undertake in order to maintain existing services and provide for developments in accordance with the Government's priorities while operating within the level of funding allocated by the Government. These included additional income generation, containing the cost of demand led schemes, reducing overhead costs and the further implementation of value for money initiatives.

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