Health

Health budget overrun cannot ‘jeopardise’ government spending in other areas, says Donohoe

HSE is on course for a budget overrun of €2.2 billion, despite a record allocation €24 billion in Budget 2023

Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure: “I am the first to acknowledge the huge amount of work that our hospitals are doing in particular... But my focus is also going to be on where we are in 2024.” Picture: Sam Boal / © RollingNews.ie

The government has to make sure that a projected overrun in the health budget does not “jeopardise” the government’s ability to spend on other areas, Paschal Donohoe has said.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the Minister Public Expenditure addressed questions about a potential HSE overrun of €2.2 billion in 2023, despite a record budget of €24 billion having been allocated in Budget 2023.

“We need the full cooperation of the health service executive with the ...