Varadkar: Cycle of cuts in health sector is at an end

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has claimed the "cycle of cuts in health" is over after the first budget rise for the sector since the dying days of the Celtic Tiger.

Following seven years of fiscal attacks on the system, the senior cabinet member has revealed a budget plan which will see year-on-year funding levels increase by €305m, bringing the total budget to €13.079bn.

Under the plan, which is set to be further outlined next month as part of more detailed discussions with the HSE: