Written answer
Healthcare Policy
A multi-annual health funding framework is being developed to improve long-term planning, reflect demand and costs, and link funding to productivity and service delivery.
529. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health if she will introduce a multi-annual funding framework for the health service that reflects demographic change, healthcare inflation, agreed pay costs and projected demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66395/26]
Comment on this
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a multi-annual funding approach for the health service, linked to productivity, staffing levels and the delivery of services for patients. The Department of Health is progressing this work in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, the Department of Finance and the HSE.
The objective of a multi-annual framework is to strengthen planning and financial management by allowing funding, workforce requirements and service delivery to be considered over a longer time horizon. Such an approach would provide greater certainty for the health service and support improved planning for key expenditure drivers, including demographic change, population ageing, healthcare inflation, agreed pay costs and projected demand for services. It would also strengthen the link between funding, productivity and the services delivered to patients.
Significant preparatory work is underway. This includes the development of expenditure forecasting models, agreement of the core assumptions and parameters that would underpin a multi-annual framework, and the development of the governance and operational arrangements required to support implementation. The Department has also progressed legislative amendments to the Health Act 2004 to provide the statutory basis for multi-annual budgeting and planning within the HSE, while retaining the Oireachtas' annual role in voting and appropriating funding.
The development of a multi-annual funding framework represents a significant reform of health service planning and funding. Its implementation must be underpinned by robust expenditure management, clear accountability arrangements and sustainable public finances. The Government remains committed to progressing this Programme for Government commitment and continuing the preparatory work necessary to support its future introduction.