Menu
20/09/2012
Health Department Overrun Reaches €330m
The Department of Health’s financial overrun has reached €330 million and may rise further by the end of the year, an Oireachtas committee has heard.
DoH secretary general Ambrose McLoughlin said €2 billion would have to be taken out of the health budget between 2011 and 2014 to meet Government commitments and “unavoidable pressures”.
This is higher than the €1.1 billion envisaged in the National Recovery Plan, but Dr McLoughlin explained the gap by referring to the deficit and the need to make savings to fund Government initiatives such as the move toward Universal Health Insurance.
He told the Oireachtas health committee that significant progress was being made on reducing the deficit.
He expressed confidence that ongoing talks with pharmaceutical companies on reducing the cost of medicine will deliver the savings predicted by the Government.
However, he added that these talks were always going to be complex and difficult.
(H)
DoH secretary general Ambrose McLoughlin said €2 billion would have to be taken out of the health budget between 2011 and 2014 to meet Government commitments and “unavoidable pressures”.
This is higher than the €1.1 billion envisaged in the National Recovery Plan, but Dr McLoughlin explained the gap by referring to the deficit and the need to make savings to fund Government initiatives such as the move toward Universal Health Insurance.
He told the Oireachtas health committee that significant progress was being made on reducing the deficit.
He expressed confidence that ongoing talks with pharmaceutical companies on reducing the cost of medicine will deliver the savings predicted by the Government.
However, he added that these talks were always going to be complex and difficult.
(H)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 May 2013
Legal Experts Appear Before Oireachtas Health Committee
The government is under no legal obligation to legislate for the X Case, the Oireachtas Health Committee has heard. According to RTÉ, barrister Paul Brady has said that despite the Supremem Court saying it should, the government did not have to legislate.
Legal Experts Appear Before Oireachtas Health Committee
The government is under no legal obligation to legislate for the X Case, the Oireachtas Health Committee has heard. According to RTÉ, barrister Paul Brady has said that despite the Supremem Court saying it should, the government did not have to legislate.
26 March 2014
Oireachtas Health Committee Urge Opt-Out Organ Donation System
Changing to an opt-out system for organ donation could vastly increase the level of organ donation in Ireland, Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Jerry Buttimer, has said.
Oireachtas Health Committee Urge Opt-Out Organ Donation System
Changing to an opt-out system for organ donation could vastly increase the level of organ donation in Ireland, Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Jerry Buttimer, has said.
29 April 2016
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
02 April 2014
Minister Publishes Universal Healthcare: White Paper
The Minister for Health, James Reilly, T.D. today 2 April published 'The Path to Universal Healthcare: White Paper on Universal Health Insurance'.
Minister Publishes Universal Healthcare: White Paper
The Minister for Health, James Reilly, T.D. today 2 April published 'The Path to Universal Healthcare: White Paper on Universal Health Insurance'.
22 September 2015
'Series of Changes' To Be Made To Firearm Legislation
The Minister for Justice and Equality has produced a series of changes to the licensing of firearms in Ireland, following consultations with key stakeholders and hearings by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence on a report from a Joint Garda Síochána / Department of Justice and Equality Working Group published in November
'Series of Changes' To Be Made To Firearm Legislation
The Minister for Justice and Equality has produced a series of changes to the licensing of firearms in Ireland, following consultations with key stakeholders and hearings by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence on a report from a Joint Garda Síochána / Department of Justice and Equality Working Group published in November
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
