Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2016
69. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when the national service plan process for 2017 will commence; when analysis of the 2016 funding position and the 2017 costs of initiatives for pre-budget purposes will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13707/16]
View answerThe National Service Plan sets out the type and volume of health and social care services to be provided by the HSE in a given year within the funding allocated by the Government. I understand that the HSE has already begun its preparatory work in relation to the 2017 National Service Plan, but detailed workings and finalisation can only be completed once the 2017 Budget is announced and final allocations for Departments are known. The 2017 Estimates process will be undertaken in Health in accordance with the timelines described in the recent joint Memo for Government, from the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will publish a Mid-Year Expenditure Report in July, which will set out the 2016 expenditure ceiling for all Departments. Following the publication of this report, my Department and the relevant sectoral Committee will consider the priorities for 2017, having regard to the available fiscal space, and taking account of the full year effect of developments and initiatives commenced in 2016 and relevant demographic challenges.
