Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said reform will have to accompany any further funding of the health services.

He said €13.6 billion was being allocated this year.

“I have no intention of going back to a situation where endless money was thrown at the health system without reform and effective spend for the taxpayer, and particularly the patient, to get the very best outcome for them,’’ he said.

It was not satisfactory to have elderly people waiting on trolleys for a long time, or other incidents occurring which should not arise in hospitals.

Not enough money

Without effective reform, it could always be said there was not enough money for the health services, he added.

He was replying in the Dáil on Tuesday to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who said the Government had approved a plan which left acute hospitals short by €100 million. He predicted there was "real trouble'' ahead this year for hospitals.

There would, he added, be more overcrowding, longer waiting times and higher waiting lists. He accused the Taoiseach of consistently underfunding health.