HSE budget: Hospitals facing €100m funding shortfall

Public hospitals are facing a €100m funding shortfall next year which could see waiting lists increase and service cuts considered “as a last resort”.

The situation is outlined in the HSE service plan, which says despite a €50m once-off income collection from insurers the public hospital system will still be under-funded throughout the next 12 months.

As part of the health service budget for next year, hospitals will receive €4.137bn, a figure that is up by €126.3m — or 3.1% — on 2015.