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Niall Carson/PA Archive/Press Association Images

HSE Service Plan will target €25 million in medical card probity – not €113 million

The Taoiseach confirmed to the Dáil this evening that the document would be published, following discussions at Cabinet today.

Updated 6.20pm

THE TAOISEACH HAS confirmed that the HSE Service Plan for 2014 has been finalised and will be published tomorrow.

The plan will see €25 million targeted in savings from medical card probity, and not the €113 million that was contained in the Budget in October, a government spokesperson confirmed this evening.

The reduction in the amount of money being targeted through medical card probity will be accounted for through savings of €47 million in the Department of Social Protection as a result in the drop in unemployment with the balance achieved through savings in pay and pensions.

Reports this evening indicate that a total of €619 million in savings will be targeted in the HSE’s plan and not the €666 million that was originally targeted.

The plan was discussed by Cabinet Ministers at their weekly meeting earlier today, Enda Kenny told the Dáíl as he took questions regarding his own Department this evening.

He was responding to a question by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who said he hoped the Government would allow some time for debate on the document before the Dáíl broke for the Christmas break.

The plan will show how the HSE expects to spend its budget, and implement savings over the course of the next year.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Féin’s health spokesperson, accused the government of ‘spinning’ the HSE’s spending plans, saying: “This is clearly an attempt at news management before anyone outside Government gets to see the Plan in advance of its publication tomorrow.

- additional reporting Hugh O’Connell

First published 5.06pm

Read: HSE bailout of €199 million is a “considerable achievement” – Reilly

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    Mute Keith Wizzy
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:30 PM

    Fair fooks to all involved. Ashamed to say I’d not known it was on.

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    Mute Rob Cunningham
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    Nov 14th 2013, 12:10 AM

    When is the next one?

    40
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    Mute Bobby
    Favourite Bobby
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:42 PM

    What a great city

    71
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    Mute Gerard McCarthy
    Favourite Gerard McCarthy
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    Nov 14th 2013, 1:18 AM

    Was there only one photographer in dublin, couldn’t have got a pic outside Dublin no? Typical!! Not to put dampener on it as was great cause fair play to those who ran, just a gentle reminder to media life exists outside of DUBLIN!!!!

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    Mute Derek Gannon
    Favourite Derek Gannon
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    Nov 14th 2013, 1:25 AM

    G’wan the chip on the shoulder. . . .

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    Mute Gerard McCarthy
    Favourite Gerard McCarthy
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    Nov 14th 2013, 1:52 AM

    Feckin dubs ha!!

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    Mute Cian Hulm
    Favourite Cian Hulm
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    Nov 14th 2013, 2:03 AM

    Does it really?

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    Mute Derek Gannon
    Favourite Derek Gannon
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    Nov 14th 2013, 2:03 AM

    Ah sure we’re all friends. . . I’m sure there will be photos of the cork run somewhere tomorrow.all the journalists on the score.ie are too busy trying to come up with more Roy keane articles for us then to worry about the night run anywhere else!!

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    Mute Dominique Lavin
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:55 PM

    Well done to everyone involved in this including my amazing brother in law Gary Seery all the running for such good causes :)

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    Mute Mark Doran
    Favourite Mark Doran
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    Nov 14th 2013, 5:57 AM

    Ran the race last night, had a great time :) thanks to all the organisers & volunteers for their free time & support. Well Done to all all over the Country & further a field.

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    Mute Fecky Din
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:54 PM

    Saw one of these in Vienna a couple weeks ago..really cool idea

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    Mute peter gaffney
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    Nov 14th 2013, 5:58 AM

    Should be ran in the phoniex park.

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    Mute Daniel Dunne
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    Nov 14th 2013, 4:32 PM

    Except for the lack of street lighting away from Chesterfield Avenue, it’s a nicer run but not practical for a run in the dark.

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    Mute Caroline Farrell
    Favourite Caroline Farrell
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    Nov 14th 2013, 2:46 PM

    I ran in Kilkenny with some friends.lovely night for it

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    Mute peter gaffney
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    Nov 15th 2013, 1:36 AM

    The reason i was suggesting it should be ran in the park is for a number of obvious reasons.
    Free traffic congestion
    Free parking where ever you want.
    Free lighting (generatated lighting).
    Don’t get me wrong i agree with the purpose of the run for charities and all that and i salute everybody that run’s the race…..just think its more of a suitable place.

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