2027 health allocation risks being swallowed up by 2026 deficit
2027 health allocation risks being swallowed up by 2026 deficit - The Labour Party
- Reckless under-provision and a fantasy savings plan by the Department of Health for 2026, alongside mismanagement within the HSE, mean there is little or no new money to operate the health service in 2027.
- A supplementary budget is required in 2026 to meet the largest health deficit in the history of the State and allow the health service to effectively stand still in 2027.
- Pre-election promises to expand free GP care are out the window.
Labour health spokesperson Marie Sherlock TD has warned that underbudgeting for the health service in 2026 risks leaving little or no new money to expand services in 2027.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“2026 was supposed to be a year of landmark change for our health service, with no supplementary estimates and a move to population-based resourcing.
“A failure to address the HSE deficit this year will mean that the additional health allocation announced in yesterday’s Budget will be swallowed up. The Minister must now make clear how the projected €1 billion deficit will be addressed, because we are none the wiser. If a supplementary health budget is not provided for 2026 to meet the largest health deficit in the history of the State, the allocation for 2027 risks being swallowed up by a deficit carried over from this year. The Minister must tell the public whether a supplementary estimate will be provided.
“The Parliamentary Budget Office projected that €1.1 billion would be required to maintain existing levels of service in 2027, taking account of changing demographics and rising costs. Budget 2027 has provided €1.2 billion for existing levels of service, which once again leaves services essentially at a standstill.
“Community-based care and step-down care are the first casualties of cutbacks, and we know that cuts to care are occurring across the HSE regions. We know of one individual with advanced dementia who requires one-to-one care and spent months languishing in hospital. His extremely successful one-to-one care is now being withdrawn. That man will end up back in hospital, joining the hundreds of people who remain there inappropriately while awaiting discharge. For 197 days this year, more than 500 people a day were in that position.
“And what has happened to the commitment to expand free GP care to children up to the age of 12? We heard nothing about that yesterday. Instead, we hear of a measly €7 million for GP care, the foundation stone of our health service. We still await the long-overdue strategic review of general practice. Delivering on that review will require significant resources if Government is in any way serious about reforming GP care and improving access to healthcare.
“The Minister must urgently explain how she will tackle the €1 billion HSE deficit this year, rather than allow another year of under-resourcing and overspending in 2027. Without that clarity, the public will be left wondering whether the additional €1.8 billion of taxpayers’ money will actually improve care and deliver additional services next year.”