Major cuts in health service to address €1.1bn overspend

Cost savings are already in the pipeline to address the €1.1bn health service shortfall.

The health service, already braced for record numbers on hospital trolleys this winter, now faces swingeing cuts in order to address its €1.1bn overspend.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe have had a “difficult” meeting ahead of next week’s budget.