Health Services Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2016

Thursday, 2 June 2016

Ceisteanna (255)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of reports that investment in capital and current support in the public health services appears to be greater than that in adjoining jurisdictions; if he has examined this to determine if he is achieving best comparable results or how he can do so; if he has identified anything in other jurisdictions that can be applied to ensure the best results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14203/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I am aware that a recent staff European Commission Staff working document indicated higher levels of current health expenditure for Ireland (as a percentage of GNI) than the EU average in 2013. The staff working document used Eurostat data, which in turn was based on country submissions based on the new System of Health Accounts classification system. Ireland submitted 2013 data on this new basis for the first time in 2015.

My Department is currently examining the implications of this new classification system for health accounts and the lessons that can be learned from international comparisons in this context. In this work, my department has engaged with the HSE.

All of the recent international comparisons that I am aware of suggest that Ireland's level of capital investment is below international average levels.