Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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52. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he expects the health budget for 2020 in respect of both capital and current expenditure will be adequate to meet requirements in full without reference to supplementary budget later in the year. [41220/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Budget 2020 sets out a budget of over €18.3 billion for health and social care services, the highest budget ever allocated. The Health budget increased by €1.2 billion on 2019, a substantial additional level of funding. The amount allocated follows an extensive process of engagement between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which considered both the funding requirements and the fiscal position. These types of engagements are a normal part of the Budgetary process and happen with Departments across Government. All Departments put forward spending proposals but are required to operate within the amounts proposed by Government and determined by the Dáil. 

The issue of health funding is a major policy challenge for both the Irish and international Governments.  Despite welcome increases annually, the need for effective financial management remains crucial as the health service deals with a larger and older population, with more acute health and social care requirements, increased demand for new and existing drugs and the rising costs of health technology.  The costs associated with these service pressures will increasingly need to be managed not solely through annual increased Exchequer allocations but also through improved efficiencies, productivity and value from within the funding base.

Both the additional funding allocated and additional value to be derived from improved efficiencies and productivity will be considered by the HSE in setting out its National Service Plan (NSP) 2020.  Under legislation the HSE is required to set out the type and volume of health and social care services to be provided having regard to the funding available and I am confident that the NSP  will clearly demonstrate this.