The Health Service Executive is facing a potential financial deficit of €320 million for the year, according to its most recent performance report.
The report says that the forecasts regarding the executive's financial position had improved but that this had not been enough to produce a balanced budget for the year.
Based on figures to August, it was projecting a possible €405 million shortfall.
The report said that at the end of September, the HSE had recorded a net revenue overspend of €206 million.
The report says that measures have been put in place and additional ones are being considered in a bid to tackle the financial deficit.
“There are three months to the end of 2011 and the health system will have to intensely manage cost at every level of hospital and community services to achieve a balanced vote.
"The HSE is clear that it has accountability to deliver a balanced vote and this has been further emphasised in meetings with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Health.”