The HSE will today announce the provision of more than €20 million for projects identified as a priority by its new strategic planning and reform group. Martin Wall reports.
Accident and emergency services will receive the largest single allocation of €6 million.
The HSE is also considering the establishment of a new day hospital for the elderly on the campus of the Mater hospital to alleviate pressure on accident and emergency services.
Sources said that funding would be allocated to allow for longer opening of out-patient clinics.
Money will also be provided to allow patients to receive treatment at home from nurses working in the community rather than go to hospital.
Some funding will also be allocated to implement the HSE's plans to spread elective or non-urgent admissions over five days and to restrict the admissions of patients from outside Dublin to hospitals in the capital.
The HSE is also to provide €4.5 million for the provision of new community intervention teams in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.
Under this programme GPs will have quick access to home helps or community nurses to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions or to facilitate early discharges.
Around €5 million is to be provided for services to tackle MRSA.
This will include the appointment of new antibiotic pharmacists and increased staffing for infection control teams.
Over €2.5 million will be provided for ethnic minorities to access health services.
There will also be €1.7 million for anti-alcohol programmes and nearly €1.5 million for homeless people with addiction problems.