The Taoiseach appears to be ruling out any bailout for the Department of Health. It comes after Minister James Reilly signaled another overspend this year and that he may need a supplementary budget for the third year running.

The overspend currently is about €60 million - at this point last year it was €250 million. Enda Kenny says Minister Reilly has assured him an extra budget will not be needed.

While the junior health minister for Labour says he does not blame James Reilly for the spending problems at the Department of Health.

Alex White says the Department of Health is coming under more and more pressure for services because of an ageing population.

Minister White says the Department has to deal with increased demand and expectation.

James Reilly said earlier a budget over-run cannot really be helped "I accept fully that in health that we have a serious demographic issue to deal with. We have an aging population, and older people tend to have more than one illness, and tend to be admitted for longer, and tend to need more care."

The Health spending could pose difficulties for Labour ministers who may now need to enforce extra cuts in Education and Social Protection. But party leader Eamon Gilmore says that is not something that worries him.