budget 2024

Robert Watt: €1bn health overspend a ‘systemic problem’

Secretary general of the Department of Health said that there are issues around financial planning and control in the HSE

Robert Watt: ‘You can’t set out a budget in October and then say a few weeks later after the government have decided the budget that you can’t stay within the budget’. Picture: Shane O'Neill, Coalesce

A projected overrun in the health budget of over €1 billion is a “systemic problem” which reflects issues around financial planning and financial controls in the health service, Rober Watt has said.

The secretary general at the Department of Health was appearing in front of an Oireachtas Health Committee this morning to discuss the progress on Sláintecare reforms.

Watt was asked by David Cullinane, Sinn Féin TD and health spokesman, about the projected overrun in ...