Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2019
145. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to allocate additional resources to the health service in view of the recruitment difficulties across the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18072/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
In that context, the HSE needs to ensure that affordable and appropriate recruitment decisions are made. Where individual Hospital Groups or CHOs have not demonstrated their ability to do this, the HSE has introduced certain interim measures and controls across these locations.
The intention is for these measures to be in place for a short period of time. The over-riding requirement for the HSE is to prioritise the delivery of safe services within the available resources. However, I have been very clear that those locations which provide credible, balanced plans will be supported. Similarly, locations which do not submit such plans need to be scrutinised.
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.
