The budgetary consolidation measures decided by Government, 8 July 2008 will ensure that we can continue on a sound fiscal basis which will support economic growth and provide for improved public services into the future.
Within the Health Group of Votes, the 2008 Budget provided for an additional €1.16 billion expenditure in 2008 bringing the total to €16.156 billion.
A total of €144.35m is to be saved within the health sector this year.
The intention is that this amount will be saved through a combination of the following:
(i) savings of €85m in 2008 arising from the delay in implementing the new nursing home support scheme, the Fair Deal;
(ii) savings of €38m in 2008 arising from the slower than expected roll-out of new developments provided for in the December 2007 budget;
(iii) savings of €21.35m to be identified in administrative costs across the Department and all agencies other than the HSE to include payroll, advertising, procurement, consultancy; and in other schemes within Vote 39 (Department of Health & Children) and Vote 41 (Office of the Minister for Children).
These savings will not affect the provision of health services to patients and clients or the HSE capital plan in 2008.