David Cullinane
Ceist:1664. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the cost to baseline funding allocated to unfunded new or additional measures in 2022. [29899/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 14 June 2022
Ceisteanna (1664)
Freagraí scríofa
There are a number of unfunded additional measures that have arising post-Estimates 2022. These measures include:
- the cost of the Haddington Road Agreement pay restoration;
- the extended seasonal influenza vaccination programme;
- the reduction in Drug Payment Scheme thresholds from €100 to €80 per month included in the government's cost of living measures;
- the extension for the full academic year of the Pandemic Placement Grant of €100 per week to eligible nursing and midwifery students;
- the COVID recognition payment for eligible healthcare staff
- the purchase of COVID therapeutics medicines
- the cost of responses to the Ukraine crisis, including the issuing of additional medical cards as well as other supports;
- the addition of an extra public holiday on 18th March 2022 and the related additional costs to the health service in respect of agency/overtime.
At present, no additional net funding has been allocated to the Health Vote in respect of these measures. Additional measures sanctioned to date in 2022 have been sanctioned on the basis that where possible the expenditure is met from within the existing available Health allocation. Some of these measures are one-off in nature, while others will have an ongoing expenditure impact in future years. The allocation of permanent baseline funding for those measures which are recurring for 2023 will be considered in the context of Estimates 2023 discussions to take place between the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform later in 2022.
Any additional net funding requirements for the Health Vote associated with these measures for 2022 will be determined throughout 2022 and will be finalised between the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of ongoing budgetary management processes.