Joan Burton advises Leo Varadkar to focus on failing health service

Tánaiste Joan Burton has warned Health Minister Leo Varadkar he must address the “really large challenge” of the failing health service after being given a €665m supplementary budget to plug holes in services.

Speaking on the same day as Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil a leading hospital is “not fit for purpose”, the Labour leader said the fact Mr Varadkar now has “more resources than have been seen in the health service for a long time” means the matters must be addressed.

Under plans previously flagged by the Government, the cabinet yesterday signed off on an extra €665m fund for the health service this year to ensure it continues to function. The fund, known as a supplementary budget, was initially agreed during October’s budget negotiations but is 10% higher than first planned.