Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

235. To ask the Minister for Health to clarify the scale of the financial deficit that each level four hospital is operating under and her plans to gap this funding in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24017/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are currently nine Model-4 Acute Hospitals throughout the country. These hospitals are a central part of our health and social care system. They provide Inpatient, Day Case, Outpatient and 24-hour Emergency Department services, and act as training centres for our healthcare workforce.

Recent years has seen increased activity in Model-4 Hospitals. This is driven by a growing and ageing population, the impact of new technologies including high-cost medicines, and the impact of price inflation that has affected the wider economy, as well as the welcome provision of new and expanded services.

Model 4 hospitals have seen significant funding increase in recent years, from €3 billion in 2020 to €4.8 billion in 2025, a 59% increase. This funding has allowed the Model-4 hospitals to increase staff by nearly 10,000 since 2019 and add 560 acute beds between 2020 and 2024. This additional investment is premised on effective financial controls, increased productivity, fully embracing new technology and required reporting improvements.

My Department is aware that several Model-4 hospitals, despite the increased funding, have reported deficits in their financial statements for years prior to and including 2023. For the year 2024, my Department secured a significant permanent funding uplift for Health, as set out in the Summer Economic Statement for 2024, which substantially addressed funding challenges across the Health system, including in the Model-4 Hospitals. The 2024 the financial statements for most Model-4 hospitals are yet to be finalised by their auditors. When available, my Department will discuss the results with the HSE, including any financial issues being experienced by individual hospitals.

My Department, as always, is working closely with the HSE to ensure resources and funding are fully utilised in the best interests of our citizens.