Government accused of plugging spending gap in health with extra €500m

The Government has been accused of plugging a spending gap in health with an extra €500m because of “bogus” budget figures which were provided before the general election.

Ministers yesterday insisted the extra funding, to go on frontline services, was “new” money and was due to increased economic growth and extra tax receipts.

There would be no more “blank cheques” for the health service, insisted ministers, who also promised that the extra funding would not result in cuts.