Clare TD Fears Budget 2025 Projections Wont Be Enough For MidWest Health Services

Clare FM

The Government is facing early calls to use extra funding in Budget 2025 to upgrade health services and boost housing stock in Clare. It comes as the Summer Economic Statement approved by Cabinet shows over €8b in additional funding will be available on budget day. The Summer Economic Statement sets out the Government's budgetary strategy and outlines the fiscal parameters for discussions taking place ahead of budget 2025. This year, an extra €8.3b in funding will be on the table; €1.4b will go towards tax cuts and €6.9b will be for additional spending. The Government has announced an additional €1.5b in annual base funding for the Department of Health. Last year, HSE CEO Bernard Gloster was highly critical of what he described as a significant funding shortfall for the service in budget 2024, which forced the HSE to implement a recruitment embargo at all grades medical staff. Clare Independent TD Violet Anne Wynne fears there could be a repeat episode and further decline of MidWest health services this year, if the amount is not urgently increased. A Clare Government TD, on the other hand, believes the additional funding announced in the budget could expedite the delivery of twenty step down hospital beds promised for Ennis by the end of the year. Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe insists steps will be taken in Budget 2025 to improve access to childcare, disability supports, school resources and housing stock, to meet the needs of this county's growing population.