To understand why the HSE is in such a financial mess, look no further than Cork's Glenwood House

Millions of euro were spent, a great deal of it wasted, on Glenwood and other mental health facilities in Cork

Glenwood House in Carrigaline was bought by the HSE for €750,000 but left vacant for 45 months. Picture: Denis Scannell

In September 2023, the Department of Health was short-changed in that year’s budget to the tune of €800m.

After years of ballooning supplementary budgets the Department of Public Expenditure had finally lost its patience with the financial dysfunction in the health system.