Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Health and Children

Departmental Expenditure

9:00 pm

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 340: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details of pay savings of €695 million as outlined in the health Estimates for 2010 including general pay reductions and higher reductions for those on higher pay on foot of the report of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration, a proposed further reduction in the fees payable to certain health professionals, and savings associated with the moratorium on recruitment and promotion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48507/09]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The Budget provision for the Health group of votes identified €659m in pay savings as decided by Government. This included almost €7m for my Department. Following the Budget, the HSE was provided by my Department, with an indicative breakdown of the pay savings including:

general pay reductions, and higher reductions for those on higher pay on foot of the recent Report of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration (€482m);

a proposed further reduction in the fees payable to certain health professionals (€45m);

and savings associated with the moratorium on recruitment and promotion (€103).

There will also be corresponding reductions in grants made by the HSE to agencies funded under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 to reflect these decisions.

While the figures above give a high level breakdown of how the savings may be achieved, the actual distribution will be reflected in the final allocations made in the HSE Service Plan, when it is approved. The Health Estimate for 2010, provided for a range of measures designed to bring costs into line with what we can afford. At the same time, the Government is ensuring that sufficient resources are made available to respond to priority demographic and other needs, particularly in services for older people and cancer, and to support ongoing reform of our public health services.

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