Overspending HSE chiefs ‘have run out of excuses’

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned underperforming HSE managers they have run out of excuses to explain why they are not capable of keeping spending within the biggest health budget “since the foundation of the State”.

Mr Varadkar made the comment after it emerged the HSE is predicted to be at least €300m in the red by the end of the year amid waiting list and trolley count crises, new pay rise calls, and growing concerns the system is not able to meet demand.

In a strongly worded attack on officials that was criticised by Fianna Fáil last night, Mr Varadkar said the repeated system problems must end.