Health overspend ‘won’t damage budget plans,’ says Paschal Donohoe

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has denied that the expected €600m-plus health service overspend this year will damage his budget plans — despite admitting the system will need a substantial extra cash injection before December.

Mr Donohoe outlined the situation as opposition parties demanded clear answers on how the growing “black hole” in health finances can be addressed without new taxes or frontline service cutbacks.