Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if any hospitals in the Louth Meath Hospital group are currently running deficits; the current deficit in each of the hospitals; the projected deficit at the end of the year; if any of these hospitals are making use of an overdraft facility; the details of the overdraft facility in each case [49733/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In the current economic climate, the acute sector must reduce its costs in order to deliver the agreed level of activity within the resources available to it. In terms of service delivery, we must concentrate on getting the best possible services for patients from the budgets available to us. This means we need to focus on how beds are used, on the throughput of patients, on reducing length of stay to international norms and on having as many procedures as possible carried out as day cases rather than inpatient work, thus maximising also the efficient usage of operating theatre facilities. In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him in relation to those matters.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if any additional measures will be taken to curb cost overruns in health services which stood at €374 million at the end of September; the projected cost overrun for years end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49734/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As I have previously outlined to the House, the financial situation in the HSE continues to be extremely challenging. The HSE is overspent by €374m to the end of September and on the basis of the latest information available, would have a deficit in the region of €500m at the end of the year if current run rates prevail unless additional cost containment measures are undertaken. There is intensive engagement between my Department and the Health Service Executive to address the excess expenditure. In the short term, to address the 2012 position, I have instructed the Executive to impose cash limits on agency and overtime. Furthermore, there will be more rigorous management of absenteeism, travel and subsistence will be limited, and stock management will be intensified in order to better manage cash. My Department is also undertaking a number of measures to address the deficit, which include an acceleration in the collection of private health insurance income, savings from the agreements with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association and the Medical Defence Union. Further initiatives include the use of capital to fund revenue on a once-off basis and the transfer of Department funds to the HSE on a once-off basis. I have also instructed the HSE to review all pay and non-pay savings targets with a view to further targeting all areas which do not compromise patient safety.