Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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196. To ask the Minister for Health if he has submitted a request to the Department of Finance and to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for a supplementary budget for his Department in 2015, based on the unmet needs he has identified in the Health Service Executive and the health sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29325/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Exchequer funding provided in 2015 provided a more realistic funding level for the health services and was very welcome as part of a two year programme to put the health services on a more sustainable financial footing.

However, pressures are arising in a number of areas, particularly in relation to expenditure on acute hospital services, demand led schemes and legal settlements. In addition, the Government committed additional funding of €74 million earlier this year to address the issue of delayed discharges and ED pressures, which of itself would require a Supplementary Estimate.

Whilst it is clear that a Supplementary Estimate will be required, given the uncertainty around certain expenditure areas, it is too early to quantify this requirement.

My Department continues to work closely with the HSE to ensure that the greatest degree of budgetary control is exercised.