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HSE report links budget overrun mainly to non-pay costs
An internal HSE report challenges Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill’s claim that unauthorised recruitment is driving the department’s likely €1 billion budget overrun. It shows non-pay costs account for a much larger share of the overspend, raising questions about the Department of Health’s budgeting and the government’s focus on staffing.
By the end of August, HSE spending was €659 million above its agreed allocation: €431 million in non-pay costs, 4.6 per cent over budget, and about €180 million in staff pay, 2 per cent over. Non-pay spending includes payments to health professionals, medicines, clinical supplies and facilities. Children’s Health Ireland had the largest reported overspend, at €50.8 million; Labour health spokeswoman Marie Sherlock warned that carrying this year’s costs into next year could harm services.
In short
- HSE figures show non-pay overspending far exceeds staff pay costs.
- Total overspend reached €659 million by the end of August.
- Children’s Health Ireland recorded a €50.8 million overspend.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “The internal HSE report that points the finger for budget overruns directly at the Department of Health – and why it makes grim reading for Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and for you, the taxpayer…”.