Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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72. To ask the Minister for Health the reason it was necessary to write to the Director General of the HSE in January 2018 regarding the executive’s budget for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6397/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I approved the NSP 2018 on its own merits and, as required under legislation, assessed it by reference to relevant legislative provisions, the letter of determination, the policies and objectives of the Government and the HSE’s approved Corporate Plan. It is the responsibility of the HSE to manage the entire budget and to set out in its Service Plan what can be delivered in the coming year within the funding available. My letter in January was responding to the HSE's letter accompanying the NSP, reminding the HSE of its obligation to remain within budget.

It is acknowledged that the issue of health funding is a major policy challenge, not only in Ireland but also internationally, and that the need for effective financial management is crucial. This is particularly the case with an increasing population, an ageing demographic, more acute health and social care requirements and rising demand and cost of both health technology and drugs. It is also important to state that the level of funding provided to the health services in this country compares favourably to health services internationally and health expenditure per capita is above the OECD average.