Donnelly expresses concern to Harris at huge overspend in the Department of Health
CONCERN for the overspend of almost €800 million in this year’s HSE budget was expressed in the Dáil by Wicklow Fianna Fáil TD Stephen Donnelly.
‘When was the overrun signalled to the Minister?’ he asked.
‘Was it signalled in late 2017 or early 2018? If so, what steps did the Minister take to try to avoid this significant overrun? Will he give us the details of what has caused the overrun for this year?
‘If one is running a €16 billion or €17 billion healthcare system, storms and flu epidemics happen and one plans for the unforeseen and makes sure there are contingency budgets in place.
‘Did the Minister ask the HSE to reduce its service plan to a level that should have allowed it and the Minister to deliver according to budget?’
In reply, Health Minister Simon Harris said a number of areas within the HSE are contributing to the overspend in 2018.
These include higher payouts under the State Claims Agency, a shortfall in private patient income, a higher level of spend in the acute and disability services sectors and, for example, the additional costs associated with Storm Emma, which amounted to about €40 million.
‘The overspend in services is driven by the non-achievement of planned savings, higher levels and higher complexity of demand, costs associated with meeting national regulatory standards in the disability sector and the need for additional emergency placements for children and young people with disabilities,’ he said.
‘Finally, and importantly, an amount of €280 million was provided in the 2018 Revised Estimates for appropriations-in-aid receipts from the UK in respect of healthcare provided under EU regulations. These receipts are now estimated at €225 million, leaving a shortfall of €55 million against the provision.’