Varadkar to seek additional funds on top of €270m

The Department of Health is to seek additional funds on top of the €270 million agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The two departments have already the sum to be allocated to Health in the upcoming budget, with €170 million set aside to cater for the demand in demographics and €100 million in pay and pensions under the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said yesterday he would not be drawn on figures. He said he was not going to conduct the budget negotiations over the airwaves.

“I am going to fight my corner to secure as big a budget as possible for the health service, but at the same time I recognise there are limitations. There is only so much available because of tax reductions and additional spending,” Mr Varadkar added. “In addition to that, I am aware it is not all about money.”

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has requested €1.9 billion in additional funding in next month's budget. In its 2016 budget estimates submitted to Government, the HSE says €1.4 billion is needed to maintain the existing level of service and deal with the growing and ageing population.

Director general Tony O’Brien says an additional €579 million is needed to improve services and deal with the demographic changes. The HSE also wants to recruit an extra 5,000 staff.