The Department of Health has refused to clarify why it did not make a public announcement following the shock resignation of the State’s chief procurement officer, who failed to flag the spiralling costs of the National Children’s Hospital.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told the Dáil that there will be a need for a bailout for the Department of Health.

An extra £12m (€17.8m) is being allocated to the British department of health to cut hospital waiting lists in the North and to boost bed capacity during the winter months, it was announced today.

Officials from the Department of Health are believed to be planning to question three health boards about their failure to spend their entire budgets last year.

Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy is expected to boost the coffers of the Health Dept with an extra £315m in tomorrow's budget.