A CLAIM by the Fianna Fáil leader that the “books were cooked” to give a dishonest Department of Health estimate was rejected by the Taoiseach.

Micheál Martin said the Health Service Executive (HSE) was facing a potential deficit of €500 million if corrective action was not taken. It was emerging clearly that the 2012 health estimate was not an honest one.

“The failure to implement health measures announced in the budget in December is one matter, but it now seems clear that the figures were never achievable and what the Government, and the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, in particular, stand accused of, in essence, is that the books were cooked to give a false and dishonest health estimate.

“That is why on June 8th the Minister lashed out at workers in the health service, stating he wanted allowances, premium payments and everything else cut all of a sudden, and that people needed to get their act together.”

Enda Kenny said it was unbecoming of Mr Martin to accuse the Minister for Health of being dishonest in the presentation of estimates. “That is not in keeping with the Deputy’s normal behaviour.”

Clearly, said Mr Kenny, the HSE was facing a serious challenge this year. Its performance report for April showed a net deficit of €200 million, of which hospitals accounted for €106 million, while community services had overspent by €57 million, of which some €13 million related to child-care services. The primary care reimbursement service, including medical card services, was showing a deficit of €45 million.

Mr Kenny said the HSE had outlined possible approaches to dealing with the financial situation, including reduced use of agency staff and implementing reforms under the Croke Park agreement to achieve more cost-effective use of human resources. It had submitted a mid-year cost containment proposal which was being considered.

“As the deputy will be aware, the department has indicated that 70 per cent of the HSE’s €13 billion budget was accounted for by pay. Of this, 18 per cent is classified as non-core, including overtime and premium payments and allowances paid to staff.”

Mr Kenny said that in a health service that must run an effective 24-7 service it was imperative that ways be found to address the growing deficit.

“I do not accept the deputy’s assertion that the Minister was dishonest in presenting the estimate for his department for this year. The Minister is working hard, both within the department and with the HSE, to address the deficit.”

Mr Martin said “completely unrealistic and unachievable figures” were included in the estimate.