Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2019
201. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the €1 billion increase in health funding announced in budget 2020; the amount which stems from the supplementary in 2019; the amount which provides for the existing level of service; the amount provided for demographics; the amount which relates to increased pay for staff; and the amount which is for new and expanded services. [42720/19]
View answerThe gross current budget for the Health Sector for 2020 is €17,419 billion, an increase of €1,054 million or 6.4% compared to the 2019 allocation of €16,365m.
The increase in the current budget of €1,054m comprises funding to maintain the existing level of service within the level of funding available, cover costs associated with Brexit (€18m), and €210m in funding for new expenditure measures including:
- Older Persons Services (including NHSS): €97m
- Disabilities: €25m
- Primary Care Schemes: €45m
- Sláintecare: €10m
- National Strategies: €8m
- National Treatment Purchase Fund: €25m.
Funding is provided to the HSE for health services in accordance with the letter of determination which sets out the approved level of overall HSE expenditure for the year in question. It is the responsibility of the HSE to manage the entire budget and prepare and implement the National Service Plan which must, under legislation, set out the type and volume of health and personal social services, to be provided during the year in question within the funding allocated. Both the additional funding allocated to demographics and pay and additional value to be derived from improved efficiencies and productivity will be considered by the HSE in setting out its National Service Plan 2020.
