Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

429. To ask the Minister for Health the reason funding for the winter plan was not included in the 2019 HSE service plan and is being included in the Supplementary Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51655/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Increase in demand was considered as part of 2019 HSE National Service Plan. However increase in growth and demand throughout the year placed additional pressures on the health services. Acknowledging these pressures, additional funding was ring fenced to address the surge in activity associated with Winter pressures, which led to the launch of the 2019/2020 Winter Plan. This was considered as part of the 2019 Supplementary Estimate to ensure that addressing this seasonal demand did not have an adverse impact on the service levels set out in the National Service Plan.