Skip to main content
Normal View

Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2012

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Questions (21, 46, 71)

John Halligan

Question:

21. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the cuts he intends to make to reach the target of €780 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57096/12]

View answer

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

46. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the cuts he intends to make to reach the target of €780 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57030/12]

View answer

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

71. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the way in which the projected €781 million reduction in the health budget in 2013 will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57024/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 46 and 71 together.

The following table outlines the summary of measures to be taken by the Department in order to adhere to the 2013 Expenditure Ceiling. The table shows the amount of savings to be generated in 2013 following the implementation of each measure and the amount that is expected to be generated in a full year. The Department of Health's own Vote is being reduced by €90m - €30m transferring to the HSE and €60m in savings. Even allowing for additional expenditure related to the EU Presidency , there will be a reduction in the Department's Administrative Budget. There will be savings on the National treatment Purchase Fund and €25m of its budget will be transferred to the HSE. There will also be a range of further reductions including reductions in funding for health agencies.

Measure

Savings in 2013

Full Year Savings

€ million

Primary Care Schemes

Reduction in cost of Drugs and other prescribed items

160

330

Increase DPS threshold to €144 per month

10

10

Increase prescription charges for medical card holders

51

51

Reduced professional fees

70

80

Other changes to Primary Care schemes

32

44

Other areas

Pay-related savings

308

458

Increased generation of private income

65

115

Savings on Department Vote

60

60

Procurement Measures

20

20

Other measures

5

5

Total Net Savings

781

1,173

Top
Share