Kenny admits other hospitals may need to use overdraft

The Taoiseach is admitting other hospitals may need to apply for an overdraft to deal with over-spending.

Enda Kenny is refusing an opposition demand for the Health Minister to go into the Dáil and outline spending over-runs.

It comes after the HSE admitted that over-spending across the health service could top half a billion euro by the end of the year.

Tallaght Hospital in Dublin has been forced to get a bank overdraft to deal with its overspending. The hospital confirmed this morning that it has had to apply for a €12m overdraft.

Kenny has outlined to the Dáil that other hospitals are trying to deal with spending over-runs.

“Beaumont Hospital was 13.3% over budget, the Midwestern Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle, Limerick was 18.9% over budget, Galway University Hospital was 8.4%, Cork University Hospital was 7.2% and Tallaght was at 10.6%.

“Hospitals can avail of an overdraft facility, which is the equivalent to 7.5% of their allocation in the final quarter of the year.”

Meanwhile, the Minister for Health James Reilly says he is confident that patients can be treated safely at Tallaght despite its budgetary issues.

He is also satisfied with the management of Tallaght by chief executive Eilish Hardiman.

“This is a voluntary hospital and they are quite entitled in the running of their business to use an overdraft facility. It makes absolute sense.

“She has made it very clear that the hospital has increased its activity, reduced its cost base and continues to give patients priority. That’s the way it should be.”