Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2019
49. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if additional demands have been made by his Department in respect of budget overruns to date in 2019 and the anticipated overruns up to 31 December 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18023/19]
View answer217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which adequate funding has been made available throughout the public health sector with a view to meeting the demand as set out throughout the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21157/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 217 together.
The 2019 National Service Plan set out a budget of over €16 billion for the HSE, the highest budget ever allocated. The Health budget was increased by €848 million on 2018, a substantial additional level of funding. The amount allocated follows an extensive process of engagement between my Department and the HSE, which considers both the funding requirements as submitted by the HSE and the fiscal position. These types of engagements are a normal part of the Budgetary process and happen with agencies across Government. All public bodies put forward spending proposals but all such bodies, including the HSE, are required to operate within the amounts proposed by Government and determined by the Dáil.
The issue of health funding is a major policy challenge internationally. Despite welcome increases over recent years, the need for effective financial management remains crucial as the health service deals with a larger and older population, with more acute health and social care requirements, increased demand for new and existing drugs and the rising costs of health technology. Demographic pressures, including a rise in chronic diseases and ageing populations are major challenges to health funding internationally. The additional funding secured over recent years provides a substantial basis for the Health Service to maximise the level and quality of service delivery while also implementing the Sláintecare programme.
The costs associated with these service pressures and strategic change will increasingly need to be managed not solely through annual increased Exchequer allocations but also through improved efficiencies, productivity and value from within the funding base in 2019 and beyond. The HSE has my full support in achieving these improvements as part of our shared reform agenda.
The services to be provided in 2019 are as set out in the National Service Plan, and levels are typically equal to or higher than planned or delivered in 2018. The additional funding provided in Budget 2019 for new developments will support new or expanded levels of services across priority service areas.
