Accounting error leaves HSE €56m short

An accounting error by the Health Service Executive means it will have €56.4 less to spend in 2006, the Dáil heard tonight.

Minister for Finance Brian Cowen told TDs during the Order of Business that he was informed last week that some funding earmarked for the HSE this year had already been spent in day-to-day expenses.

The HSE had been allocated a budget of €558m in the 2006 Estimates.

Labour finance spokesperson Joan Burton said: “It is a major accounting error to confuse capital spending with current spending.”

Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton called for a full explanation from Health Minister Mary Harney.

Mr Cowen said he would ensure that the shortfall would not have adverse consequences for health funding.

“I am determined to ensure that it will not have an adverse impact on the plans for the HSE’s capital spending in 2006.

“As matters stand, the 2006 capital allocation for the HSE is €558m, an increase of 10% on the provisional 2005 outturn.”

He explained earlier: “My department was advised late on Tuesday evening, January 17, 2006, by the Department of Health and Children that the Health Service Executive had advised it on that day that there may be some alterations to their estimated outturn and consequently to their capital carryover figure of €56.4m included in the Appropriation Act 2005.”