No bailout as health service set to overrun 2016 budget

The health service will bust its €13.2 billion expenditure ceiling in 2016, senior government sources have admitted.

If health overruns on its budget, it will have four options: to beg for money from other government departments; to increase charges to patients; to cut services; or to raid the capital budget.

Under EU rules, top-ups for health and end of year supplementary estimates will not be allowed in 2016.

The Department of Health has ...