Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will respond to plans by the Health Service Executive to cut an additional €17.59 million across all services in the mid-west region including €5 million in funding for primary care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13411/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive is not planning to cut funding for the HSE West (Mid West Area) in 2011. The budget for health services in the Mid West Area for this year was allocated in January at €605m and this remains unchanged. What is apparent from the April accounts is that the Mid West Area is overspending by approximately €4m a month for the first four months of this year. While service pressures are highest in the 1st Quarter, it is clear that corrective action is urgently required to address what is potentially a major financial problem.

The core objective in the Mid West Area remains the delivery of the 2011 service plan activity and performance targets. These provide for a similar volume of services to that provided in 2010, but within the budget allocated for this year. A range of cost containment plans and control measures have been prepared by management in order to address the financial challenge. These measures are targeting non front-line service areas in the first instance in order to ensure that services for patients and clients are protected. This includes measures to improve productivity, secure better procurement and value for money and deliver efficiencies under the Croke Park Agreement.

The package of cost containment plans with a value of €17m in the current year includes measures to address areas such as:

- Streamlining management structures and functional supports

- Streamlining service delivery

- Improving day case activity levels

- Improving same day admission for services and operating theatre efficiency

- Reducing average length of stay

- Controlling overtime, agency and on-call costs

- Reducing absenteeism

- Controlling travel and subsistence costs, legal costs and professional fees

- Securing better pricing for non pay items and consumables

- Improving income collection

All areas of expenditure and income generation are being examined across the services to ensure that maximum value for money and efficiency is being achieved. Measures that do not have front line service implications are being implemented in the first instance. Measures that have a potential to impact on front line patient or client services will only be considered following a full evaluation and impact assessment and consideration at a national level.