Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 79: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had with the Health Service Executive on protecting frontline services while achieving the cuts in the budget that they are required to make for 2010; if the baseline levels of service and waiting time targets that have been agreed will not be breached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45540/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will be aware that the Government faces serious challenges in respect of public expenditure and has had to take difficult decisions in order to stabilise the public finances. The Government is committed to reducing the general government deficit as part of its strategy for economic recovery which will require a reduction in the level of public spending over the coming years. The HSE's estimate will be set in this context and the Executive will be required to operate within tight spending parameters, while meeting the objective of maintaining population health and access to services.

Following the Budget, the HSE will submit its National Service Plan 2010 for my approval under the Health Act 2004. The Plan will set out the type and volume of services to be provided by the Executive and once approved, will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in line with Section 31(13) of the Act. The HSE will be required to operate within the limits of its Voted allocation in delivering at a minimum, the levels of service which are provided for in the Plan. During 2010, the HSE will provide me with detailed information related to service activity levels by way of monthly Performance Monitoring Reports against the Plan.