Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

James Reilly Niall Carson/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Health minister says frontline services will be hit by budget cuts

James Reilly insisted that the effects of the three-quarters-of-a-billion euro in cuts to the health sector would be “mitigated”.

JAMES REILLY HAS said that while frontline services will be hit by health service budget cuts, the effects will be “mitigated”.

The Health Minister was speaking following the announcement of the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) National Service Plan yesterday. With €750 million cut from the health budget there will be as many as 555 nursing home beds closed and 3,200 people leaving the health service in Ireland.

Reilly admitted that frontline services would be impacted upon but insisted that in rejecting the first proposed National Service Plan before Christmas, he had “been able to mitigate that in a major way”.

“I’ve said all along that frontline services are going to be affected but we’re going to mitigate that as much as possible,” he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

I mean I was accused in the past of shouting wolf and what I managed to do is knock a few teeth out of that wolf’s mouth but he’s still going to bite and it’s going to be sore.

Reilly insisted that despite budget cuts, screening for colon cancer has been delayed by only a few months whereas originally it would have been delayed by a year under the initial plan. “I insisted upon that,” he said of the change.

The Health Minister said he envisioned use of intermediate care facilities and that as a result more elderly people would be looked after at home. The Service Plan included a cut of 555 public nursing home beds.

Of the plans to shed 3,200 people from the health by the end of February he said there was “enough flexibility in the moratorium to move people” to ensure there was no shortage in one particular sector of the health service.

He admitted there would be an impact from the budget cuts but said the government and his department had no choice: “There is going to be an impact, this country is bankrupt.

Were in terrible trouble, health is second biggest spending department and we have to take a certain amount of responsibility in relation addressing that deficit.

Reilly also addressed the issue of the government having to inform the European Commission that it was not in a position to comply with rules requiring junior doctors to work no more than an average of 48 hours per week.

RTÉ reported that the government had told the EC it was not in position to comply with regulations for three more years. Junior doctors can in some instances work as many as 60 hours a week in the current circumstances.

“This is historical, there’s no question. You know that last year we had tremendous difficulty recruiting staff,” Reilly said. But he said that the government was facing “a myriad of problems” in the health service and this was “but one of them” that he was “very conscious of”.

HSE to close 555 nursing home beds and cut hospital budgets

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
36 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute chicken ball ann
    Favourite chicken ball ann
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:10 AM

    Sweet Jesus do these people never get tired of telling us how much trouble we are in…we are taking our medicine so how about a spoonful of sugar now & then…!

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jay funk
    Favourite Jay funk
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:20 AM

    We’re not taking our medicine as can’t afford medicine anymore

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jay funk
    Favourite Jay funk
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:21 AM

    And sugar is a luxury so that’s gone from the budget

    26
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian De Cleir
    Favourite Adrian De Cleir
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 10:08 AM

    We might be able to get some free cheese though.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris lynch
    Favourite Chris lynch
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:03 AM

    At least this time he has admitted that frontline services will be affected.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Mullally
    Favourite Shane Mullally
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:43 AM

    But I bet the members of fine Gael have their own private hospital on tap-and all the luxury they can muster-up as well at our expense!!..we get the crumbs..

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:48 AM

    Blackrock Clinic ?

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute damien chaney
    Favourite damien chaney
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:38 AM

    I think the government should come out and announce that everyone should stop worrying, our political elite will be looked after if they get sick or need our frontline service, the worry i see on people’s faces old and young “what happens if Enda or Leo get sick will they be looked after?”

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Redundant Apprentices Ireland
    Favourite Redundant Apprentices Ireland
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 11:14 AM

    Here is an idea “James Reilly” CUT YOUR OWN FUCKING WAGES and those of your CRONIES you USELESS THUG!!

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yvonne Byrne
    Favourite Yvonne Byrne
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 4:10 PM

    100% right

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Biggins31
    Favourite Biggins31
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:15 AM

    “Myriad of problems”
    “Enough flexibility in the moratorium to move people”
    “Mitigated”

    They come up with nice fancy words to tell us that that the health service yet again is going to be stripped down at ground level.
    I’m sure that will be of comfort to those suffering by the hour!

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Redundant Apprentices Ireland
    Favourite Redundant Apprentices Ireland
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 11:18 AM

    James Reilly should hang his head in shame!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yvonne Byrne
    Favourite Yvonne Byrne
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 4:09 PM

    If he had any shame he would tell his bosses where to go

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:46 AM

    Why is it that Enda Kenny could not say “There is going to be an impact, this country is bankrupt.” last year when he gave his State Of The Nation address…It is probably the MOST honest comment any politician has made in the past year . I find it some what consoling to hear this comment insofar as it confirms my sanity and states what we already know…..

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 10:02 AM

    However it does not take away from the fact that It is frontline staff and people on the coalface , both staff and patients are left to suffer the cuts. How many administrators / managers jobs are being cut ?
    ”The Health Minister said he envisioned use of intermediate care facilities and that as a result more elderly people would be looked after at home.”
    So Minister WHAT if anything are you going to do to support the carers in these situations ??
    ”Reilly also addressed the issue of the government having to inform the European Commission that it was not in a position to comply with rules requiring junior doctors to work no more than an average of 48 hours per week.”
    I am glad junior doctors hours of work is being restricted BUT only on the say so of Europe !! J C Why could they not do this off their own bat over the years ………
    Devestated ! You are a Wolf ?? I don’t know if that is all I would call you ………..

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 10:05 AM

    I misread the comment on Jr Doctors hours … Scrap my reply altho I think 60 hrs a week for jr doctors is horrendous . More coffee me thinks!!!:) :)

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:31 AM

    this country is bankrupt.!!!! At last someone in his position has used these words .

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Biggins31
    Favourite Biggins31
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 12:14 PM

    Useless excuses!

    A woman was killed yesterday in Drogheda – traffic accident – and she had to wait half an hour before an ambulance even came!
    Now IN Scarlet street where the accident was, there IS a hospital with ambulances kept at the back of it and that hospital (The Cottage Hospital) you could actually see from the scene of the accident.

    Add to that another hospital – the biggest in Louth with a brand new casualty section – The Lourdes Hospital was a mere 5 minutes away too – did they send out an ambulance – NO – because of the ALREADY cuts to vital services, a woman was left on the road for 30 minutes until she died because the only ambulance there was, had to come from a place called Navan!

    The last thing to be cut is such services – but then they are cutting and cutting and cutting – and the price is in lives too!

    Its bloody disgusting!

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 1:08 PM

    That is DISGRACEFUL …. That poor woman and her family!!!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Mullally
    Favourite Shane Mullally
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:58 AM

    Every day brings bad news about the eu,the currency(euro) cutbacks everywhere-then the arrogant tossers at the top swanning around and lining their pockets and sneering at the rest of us-Sean Quinn playing the poor mouth for reckless gambling and on it goes-is anybody accountable for anything in this country?

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Phil Mc Donald
    Favourite Phil Mc Donald
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 10:23 AM

    WE are accountable

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yvonne Byrne
    Favourite Yvonne Byrne
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 3:56 PM

    shane the answer is NO

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute green badger
    Favourite green badger
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 11:52 AM

    How the hell are these politicians still the highest paid twats in Europe!!!!!!!…….it’s absolutely mental that everybody suffers while these bastards sit in their mansions and are not affected one bit!!!!!!!………cut this,cut that………CUT YOUR OWN F#*KIN WAGES!!!!!!!

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yvonne Byrne
    Favourite Yvonne Byrne
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 4:07 PM

    I agree 100%

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Mullally
    Favourite Shane Mullally
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 10:43 AM

    @phil-I’m not accountable for racking up debt in this country-I play by the rules like the majority of decent folk in this country-I’ve never owed a red cent to the country in terms of where we’re at in Ireland..so I take personal exception that I owe this state a fortune..I lived in the uk for 23yrs and returned in 2008 when this mess commenced..so I will continue to speak out until those responsible pay their dues!!..

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen Gabbett
    Favourite Eileen Gabbett
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 1:16 PM

    I hope you will not register or pay for the household tax Shane. I have never owed a penny either but on this occasion I am refusing to register or pay . I am terrified that I may be fined etc … BUT I have had enough and I am making a stand .

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yvonne Byrne
    Favourite Yvonne Byrne
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 4:04 PM

    Well put Shane

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Rochford
    Favourite Derek Rochford
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 10:02 AM

    These cuts just prove that the value of a life is measured against monetary savings…….Our Health system at the moment is third class, so what in Gods’ name is it going to be like when these draconian cuts take place?
    How many more lives will be put at risk?

    Yes Minister, the Country is Bankrupt, but we the ordinary people didn’t cause that to happen…..However, as with every other money saving excercise, we will have to pay for that, while those that caused it continue to prosper!

    So much for the fair society that this Government promised!

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute michael cuthbert
    Favourite michael cuthbert
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 10:31 AM

    The alternative is to pay more tax. We only need €750 million to maintain the HSE budget at last year’s level. Anyone up for it?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Redundant Apprentices Ireland
    Favourite Redundant Apprentices Ireland
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 11:40 AM

    That comment is not in the slightest bit amusing, how do you propose us young manage to buy houses or even get married and start families, you clearlyl have no mortgage or the likes and can well afford these extra taxes, well how about thinking of the young of this country for once we WANT TO WORK we WANT TO CONTRIBUTE we WANT TO OWN OUR HOUSES we WANT TO GET BY!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ann Illing
    Favourite Ann Illing
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 3:23 PM

    The alternative is to burn the bondholders.

    10
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yvonne Byrne
    Favourite Yvonne Byrne
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 4:02 PM

    We already pay too much tax and get too little in return. A bit of RESPECT for us from our so called leaders would be nice

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute michael cuthbert
    Favourite michael cuthbert
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 9:06 PM

    How very presumptuous. Biiiig mortgage. Not married. 2 kids, one in college. Liable for household charge, water charges, septic tank fee. Pay tax at 41%. Can afford to pay more tax if it will help protect people less fortunate. And this really is me. No anonymity. No spoof names. Champagne socialist, I guess…

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Mullally
    Favourite Shane Mullally
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 5:19 PM

    €50 euro to say hello to your doctor!!..I don’t think so..the health like orther main basic stuff should have been in place in the good times-but greed and the rest of took over-now were almost bankrupt(apart from the wealthy) and stuck with countless ghost estates,which is criminal,homeless still on the streets and we are sending our large educated ppl to orther countries(emigration) and young chaps to further countries to build houses in places like Africa through fund raising and charities!!..what a joke..

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave McCarthy
    Favourite Dave McCarthy
    Report
    Jan 17th 2012, 1:02 PM

    Nanny state fail?
    Hey, government has also started handing out free Ferraris for everyone, the only problem is – they are currently out of them but other than that it’s great news :-)

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rita Cahill
    Favourite Rita Cahill
    Report
    Feb 8th 2012, 1:03 PM

    This is A Disgrace” treating people in Ireland as Thirdy party Class rate, and James O reilly is a waste of space, for a so call Doctor he hasnt a bloody clue in how to run a health service, never mind his over weight problem, he does this to get media attention, and he is attention seeker who likes to be in front of camera media most of the time, i hate the old fart, its going to be major and alot of people could die because of this Minister, and Enda kenny and other who have agreed on oreillys game playing with peoples lifes. i would sue him if i was refused treatment. sue them all for negligence .
    Rita Cahill

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds