Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the savings and the changes made to the 2009 Health Service Executive budget in the Laois-Offaly area by item in tabular form; the services that have been reduced or varied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28430/09]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the savings and the changes made to the 2009 Health Service Executive budget in respect of each hospital and each hospital department in the Laois-Offaly area by item in tabular form; the services that have been reduced or varied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28431/09]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the contracts that have not been renewed in the Health Service Executive in the Laois-Offaly area since 1 January 2009; the further contracts that will not be renewed for the remainder of 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28432/09]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the service reviews currently being carried out by the Health Service Executive in Laois and Offaly; the purpose of these reviews; when they were initiated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28478/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 to 224, inclusive, and Question No. 236 together.

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 specific issues relating to the Laois-Offaly area, I have referred the matter to the HSE for direct reply.