Toughest budget yet for health, Reilly claims
James Reilly claims this is the toughest Budget yet for the Department of Health.
The Minister for Health, speaking in the wake of the budget, said €666m in savings will be needed next year, of which €113m will come from withdrawing medical cards.
He warned there are more difficult times ahead for the sector.
"Our system has been under huge pressure," he said, citing the 10% reduction in staff and €3bn reduction in budget in recent years.
"We are going to face a really, really challenging year this year. This is the year we get out of the bailout, but for health, this is the most challenging year that we've had yet."
