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Ireland's runaway health spending

Wednesday, October 17 08:01:45

It is understood that the Troika have warned the Government that they must rein in its runaway health budget if it is to continue reaching its bailout targets. As the latest review of Ireland's bailout began, the European-International Monetary Fund (IMF) Troika singled out under-fire Health Minister Dr James Reilly and demanded he strengthen financial management of his department. "The mission starting today will focus on ensuring that Ireland's remaining fiscal adjustment is durable, growth-friendly and in line with programme targets in a way that burden-sharing is fair and that the most vulnerable are protected," said a European Commission source.

"It will focus on strengthening budgetary management in the health sector to ensure that it can deliver desired objectives within budget." The latest review from the Troika - the IMF, European Commission and European Central Bank - is the eighth of its kind since Ireland struck a bailout deal in 2010. The outcome is expected to be detailed by Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, next Thursday or Friday.