Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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217. To ask the Minister for Health when the attention of the HSE was drawn to the fact that the budget for 2018 was short of that required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6611/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The 2018 National Service Plan sets out a budget of over €14.5 billion for the HSE. This represents an overall increase of over €600 million on 2017, which is a substantial level of additional funding. For its overall budget for 2018 the HSE is expected to, and has signed up to provide, a level of service greater than, or equal to, that which was provided in 2017.

Health services to the public will not be reduced in 2018. The additional funding provided in Budget 2018 for new developments will support new or expanded levels of services across all the major service areas. Overall, and as set out clearly by the HSE in the finalised NSP, delivery of the level of services and activities set out in the plan within budget will require the delivery of a Value Improvement Programme (VIP) totalling €346m.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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218. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which budgetary forward planning is co-ordinated by the HSE before submission at the time of Estimates consideration; if such planning is soundly based in view of alleged shortfalls already in 2018; if those that have pointed out the shortfalls had an input into budgetary estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6612/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE Budget planning process involves a co-ordinated practice of detailed engagement across the Community Healthcare Organisations, Hospital Groups and Service areas in the HSE, ensuring local services have access to expert financial advice and decision support in relation to the delivery of safe Health and Social Care services, within the funding available.

The amount allocated follows an extensive process of consideration which reflects both the funding requirements as submitted by the HSE and the fiscal position. This process concludes with the Government making a decision as to the funding it will provide to the HSE.

Under Legislation, the HSE is required to submit a National Service Plan to the Minister for Health for approval. As part of this process, there is extensive engagement between both the Department of Health and the HSE on the drafting of the Service Plan. For its overall budget for 2018 the HSE is expected to, and has signed up to provide, a level of service greater than, or equal to, that which was provided in 2017.