Harney: Cuts to HSE services inevitable

Health Minister Mary Harney has warned the HSE will have to cut services next year.

Up to now cuts to services have been limited despite the recession, but Finance Minister Brian Lenihan is planning another €3bn in savings in December's Budget.

Minister Harney said health services will not escape, and the cuts will be a major challenge for the new HSE Chief Executive Cathal Magee.

"There will be cutbacks in the public health service next year," Minister Harney said.

"The Minister for Finance has made it clear that the Government will be looking for €3bn in cuts from public expenditure.

"Clearly as the spender of 27% of the budget, that will impact on the public health services.

"That's going to be a major challenge."

Earlier Minister Harney defending plans to pay Mr Magee almost €100,000 more than had been planned.

Mr Magee will take up his post as head of the HSE on a salary of €322,000, significantly more than the originally planned annual payment of €228,000.

But Minister Harney said paying Mr Magee the same as outgoing HSE chief executive Professor Brendan Drumm is warranted.

"It is a big salary but he is going to be managing a €15bn budget," she said.

"Chief executives of health services around the world are paid substantially more than we are paying in Ireland."