Government approves €540m HSE investment

THE Government has approved a €540 million capital investment programme for the Health Service Executive for 2006.

Some €150m will go to the National Hospitals Office, another €150m for primary and continuing care and €240m for special initiatives including radiology, oncology, the A&E 10-point plan and mental health.

Details of the capital spending were agreed between the Departments of Finance and Health and the HSE.

The HSE will also have available €70m for capital investment in information and communications technology. Release of this money will be subject to separate proposals from the HSE.

Professor Brendan Drumm, the HSE’s chief executive, said: “This plan details our priorities and will help us meet many of our key objectives.

It includes a strong emphasis on developing our primary and community services and hospital facilities.”

Health Minister Mary Harney, said: “This investment builds our capacity to deliver every type of health service to patients: from primary and community care centres to acute hospitals, and across the service spectrum covering, for example, cancer, heart disease, mental health, services for people with disabilities, for older people and for children.

“It is part of our €3 billion health capital investment framework for the years 2005-2009. Public finance will continue to be the predominant source of new capital investment in health in our country.

“With prudent management of our strong economy and reform in the way we use new funds, we intend to continue this high level of capital investment,” said Ms Harney.

Total expenditure will not exceed €555.5m during 2006.

In addition, €36m, the proceeds of the sale of surplus assets in previous years, will be available for capital projects in the mental health area.