Underfunded HSE to play key role in election as lack of funds spells trouble for Coalition

Despite Government claims that the health service can cope, the lack of money available to it next year threatens to damage the Coalition bid to emphasise the recovery, says Political Reporter Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

The Coalition is pushing a loaves and fishes tale about how the health service will be able to maintain and expand services with the funds it has been given next year — but the reality is far less palatable than the Government wants to admit.

And with a general election just around the corner, the possibility of services being deferred or cut “as a last resort” over the coming 12 months is the last thing Fine Gael and Labour strategists need to hear.