Ministers ‘must get control’ of health spending

The troika has said ministers must get a grip on the health service overspend.

Despite officials from the IMF/EU/ECB team refusing to speak publicly at the end of their inspection of Government fiscal policy, it emerged they were alarmed at a projected €500m rise in HSE costs.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin, who has clashed with Health Minister James Reilly on the issue, said the matter would be addressed in September — but did not detail how.