No extra cash for health despite €1bn tax windfall

HEALTH services won't get extra funding this year, despite an unexpected €1 billion tax windfall, Charlie McCreevy signalled yesterday.

The Minister for Finance yesterday ruled out relaxing the purse strings as he ignored demands for greater spending on public services.

With the Government under intense pressure to relieve the pressure on the health services, Minister for Health Micheál Martin is in ongoing negotiations with Mr McCreevy to open up €450 million worth of hospital facilities currently lying idle.