Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Question 858: To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to correspondence regarding cutbacks in the health sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41043/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The level of funding available for the health budget this year, and the extent of savings required in the health sector, is being considered as part of finalising the HSE Service Plan 2012 which is currently underway. The HSE has statutory responsibility for the delivery of health and personal social services, and the question of funding specific care programmes, or individual non statutory care providers, can only be addressed in this context. The allocation of funding across care groups, including Palliative Care, has yet to be agreed. As was the case in previous years, the Executive will engage with voluntary providers to discuss services levels in 2012, in line with resources available. Part of this discussion will focus on the identification of savings designed to have minimum effects on the provision of services to patients.