Kenny: Health’s ‘needed bailout for past 20 years’

The Taoiseach has defended Health Minister James Reilly’s need for a bailout for his department and said ministers for the past 20 years also sought supplements.

Ahead of an expected Dáil vote this week on a €200m bailout in health, Enda Kenny said supplementary estimates for health were sought by ministers even during the boom times.

The supplementary budget will not be agreed in the Dáil today. Dr Reilly is in Brussels for an Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs council meeting, a spokesman said.