Health

Donohoe and Donnelly to thrash out spending plan for health

HSE boss says built-in deficit in HSE service plan ‘for the first time in memory’ as minister scrambles to make savings of €600 million

Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, and Stephen Donnelly, Minister for Health. The pair are holding high-level talks in the coming weeks to thrash out this year’s spending overrun. Picture: Collins

Paschal Donohoe and his officials are to intensify their scrutiny of spending across the health service over the coming months as the HSE faces a €1.5 billion deficit by the end of the year.

Donohoe and Stephen Donnelly, the health minister, are to hold high-level talks in the coming weeks to thrash out this year’s overrun, which will require a supplementary estimate in December to the tune of €1.1 billion, amid coalition tensions over the ...