The health board at the centre of a recent controversy over its handling of the birth of baby Bronagh Livingstone is seeking a meeting with the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, to complain about the inadequacy of its budget for the current year.
The North Eastern Health Board has been given €483 million for non-capital expenditure in 2003 and claims the decision to provide it with this allocation does not take account of "significant service pressures arising from the major growth in population of the north eastern region".
The board is also concerned that it has received the lowest per capita allocation of any health board in the State.
Its chief executive officer, Mr Paul Robinson, has made a submission to the Department of Health, outlining the severe difficulties the board experienced staying within budget in recent years.
His submission to the Minister states that there are a number of factors impacting on service demands that are unique to the north-east region. The main factors he lists are:
demographic changes - the 2002 census showed the population of the NEHB had increased by 12 per cent since 1996;
extension of service to non-nationals and asylum-seekers - this service cost €8.5 million last year;
impact of road traffic accidents in the region - the NEHB has 25 per cent of the State's most serious accident-risk areas;
and the admission of patients from the Dublin area to NEHB hospitals.
A special meeting of the board takes place later today to discuss services which can be delivered in the region this year under current budget constraints.
Meanwhile, the chief executive of the Southern Health Board, Mr Seán Hurley, has said this year will be a challenging one for his board, which will have a budget of €935 million. "We are facing a new economic reality where the rate of growth in healthcare spending is being reduced. The Government has also decided there will be no consideration given to a supplementary estimate this year, without exception," he said.
"Managing the €935 million is going to be challenging against the backdrop of rising medical costs, an ageing and expanding population and the increasing demand for health services.Management's top priority will be to minimise the impact of financial constraints on frontline services."