Budget overrun ‘a worse prospect’

The man charged with overseeing €130m worth of health cuts said they were necessary to avoid a massive budget overrun from spiralling out of control.

Tony O’Brien, director general designate of the HSE, acknowledged the cuts would impact on patient care but said the alternative, of not reining in a €550m budget overrun, would have been worse.

He also said some of the areas earmarked for cuts could be reviewed and that absenteeism in the health service — running as high as 7% in some areas — would be tackled.