Stormont Health Minister Ms Bairbre de Brún was criticised today after it emerged that millions of pounds of funds given to her department were not spent.
Finance Minister Mr Seán Farren told the Northern Assembly that £23.9 million sterling was returned to the Executive because winter pressures on hospitals were not as severe as expected.
Assembly members castigated the Department of Health, claiming patients on Europe's longest waiting lists would be stunned to learn that cash had not been used to address the crisis in the NHS.
Health Committee chairman Mr Joe Hendron of the SDLP wanted assurances that this would not be repeated. "People on waiting lists and overworked staff who are under constant pressure may find it difficult to understand or accept," he said.
Mr Bob McCartney of the UK Unionist Party said the public had every right to question why the money had not been spent on a service that was "one of the most powerless in Europe.
"Surely the public at large will say this Department has not spent £23.9 million which was available to it whether through technical reasons or otherwise".
Ms de Brun responded by saying it reinforced the need to press forward with plans to cut waiting lists. She has blamed health service problems on the legacy of underfunding from successive British governments.
Mr Farren said: "I can give an assurance that we will do all in our power to work with the departments to ensure that forecasting and spending plans are rigorous".
PA