Departments need more than €1.1bn in extra funding

The overall supplementary estimates required by Government Departments, including Health, for this year will be in excess of €1.1 billion.

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has disclosed that an additional €680 million will be required in his Department to cover its costs in 2014.

Other departments have also requested substantial additional funds.

They include Transport, Tourism and Sport (€162 million); Education (€103 million); and Agriculture, Food and the Marine (€177 million). The Department of Environment has sought an additional €34 million. Almost €30 million will be required to cover shortfalls in pension provisions.

The supplementary estimate for health is the largest in the history of the health service, the Department of Public Expenditure has confirmed. The scale of the overrun is more than €100 million larger than previously anticipated.

Cost of claims

The figure includes a €510 million minimum overrun on the cost of running the health service, as well as increased costs incurred by the

State Claims Agency

.

The larger-than-expected bailout for the Department of Health will mean the equivalent sum is carried forward into next year's account, though Mr Varadkar insists it will have no impact on next year's available funding.

The additional money sought by Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe includes €40 million from a stimulus package agreed last May for transport and tourism programmes; €20 million for storm damage; and €99 million for public transport programmes, including bus purchases and rail maintenance.

For the second time in succession, Social Protection will require no supplementary budget. This is due to the falling numbers on the live register.