Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the expected impact of budgetary and service reviews currently taking place throughout the health services on a county basis; if her attention has been drawn to the likelihood of the decommissioning of many existing services in the event of the continued pursuit of this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26701/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy is aware, the National Service Plan 2009 which I approved in December contained a number of economic and cost avoidance measures for 2009 (in addition to a continuation of value for money measures from 2008). Subsequently a range of potential exposures (some of which were identified in the National Service Plan) materialised. Based on the best information available, a figure of €540 million was arrived at following intensive discussions and a detailed examination by the HSE and my Department.

The Government made significant decisions on spending, revenue raising and employment control in the Supplementary Budget. The approach agreed as part of the Supplementary Budget when combined with the €133 million in measures previously identified by the HSE and not affecting the National Service Plan left a potential shortfall of €147 million to be addressed. In April I approved a series of measures to address this potential shortfall and obviate the need to amend the National Service Plan. The HSE is now implementing these measures in order to deliver the Service Plan within its existing allocation.

The level of service originally planned by the HSE and set out in the 2009 Service Plan is continuing to be delivered. Indeed, in a number of areas planned service levels have been exceeded so far this year. Maintaining this level of performance will demand close attention to value for money and ongoing modernisation of service delivery in line with best practice. With regard to budgetary and service reviews taking place on a county basis, I have referred the matter to the HSE for direct reply.