James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details on mid-year savings in 2008 including the amount saved; where it was saved from; if this money was reallocated to other areas; the way it was reallocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40010/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The budgetary consolidation measures decided by Government in July 2008 were to ensure that we continued on a sound fiscal basis which would support economic growth and provide for improved public services into the future.

Within the Health Group of Votes, the 2008 Budget provided for an additional €1.16 billion expenditure in 2008 bringing the total to €16.156 billion.

A total of €143.52m was saved within the health sector last year.

This amount was saved through a combination of the following:

(i) savings of €85m in 2008 arising from the delay in implementing the new nursing home support scheme, the Fair Deal;

(ii) savings of €38m in 2008 arising from the slower than expected roll-out of new developments provided for in the December 2007 budget;

(iii) savings of €20.52m in administrative costs across the Department and all agencies other than the HSE to include payroll, advertising, procurement, consultancy; and in other schemes within Vote 39 (Department of Health & Children) and Vote 41 (Office of the Minister for Children).

The savings applicable to the HSE were used to offset the cost of the December supplementary estimate for the HSE Vote so that the net impact on Exchequer spending in 2008 was minimised as far as possible. The balance applicable to Votes 39 & 41 was surrendered to the Exchequer.