The HSE National Service Plan 2013 has been published following approval by the Minister for Health; Dr James Reilly T.D. The Service Plan sets out the type and volume of services the HSE will provide directly, and through a range of funded agencies, during 2013. These health and social care services must be delivered within the €13.404 billion funding provided by Government and within the stipulated employment levels.
The HSE budget for 2013 reflects a net increase of €71.5m and includes unavoidable budget pressures (such as demographic pressures and increased demand for medical cards, drugs, and other budgetary pressures particularly in the acute hospital sector as seen in 2012) of €748m and cost reductions of €721m. Staffing levels in the health service in 2013 be reduced by almost 4,000 (WTEs) in 2013.
