Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty, has claimed ‘deep dysfunction at the highest level’ of government will harm patients and staff in the coming year.
This follows Wednesday’s meeting with the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. David Moloney, at the Finance Committee.
“The decision by the Government to underfund the health service will cause significant harm to patients and staff in the coming year,” Deputy Doherty said.
“We are already seeing the effects of this decision, with the HSE imposing an unprecedented recruitment embargo which will include entire grades across the health system.
“In yesterday’s meeting, I asked the Secretary General why the decision was made to underfund the health service despite the serious risks it posed to patients and to care. He was right to say that this was ultimately a decision for Minister Donohoe and the government.”