Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has had any consultation with the Department of Health or the Health Service Executive regarding the reduced budgets in 2013 for two Dublin children's hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7327/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand that the Deputy is referring to Our Lady`s Children`s Hospital, Crumlin, and the Children`s University Hospital, Temple Street.

The allocation of specific hospital budgets is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health and the Health Service Executive to determine and I understand that the process of agreeing final allocations, within the resources available for the overall hospital sector, is still on-going. Allocations are subject to change as part of the normal budget-setting process and, in these circumstances, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment. However, I have been assured that no hospital will face an undeliverable target in 2013 and that the primary focus will be on delivering services within budget and managing service delivery risks effectively.