Healthcare budget pressure has culminated in the resignation of a senior member of the HSE.

A Cabinet briefing by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly indicated the healthcare budget has already seen issues in the first three months of the year and there are growing concerns of a €2 billion shortfall.  

Demands on hospital services are being blamed for the pressures on the 2023 healthcare budget.

The Mail on Sunday reported concerns have culminated in the resignation of respected HSE board member Brendan Lenihan. 

It claimed Mr Lenihan’s financial advice fell on deaf ears as far back as last autumn, when the HSE was finalising its spending plans for the year ahead. 

It's understood it's one of a number of resignations from the HSE Audit and Risk Committee amid concerns over the financial shortfall and a lack of transparency about spending.

Healthcare budget

The healthcare budget for 2023 is €23.4 billion and included a free contraceptive scheme for women up to the age of 30 and the promise of free GP care for a further 400,000 people.  

The National Service Plan for the HSE was approved by Mr Donnelly, allocating a budget of €21.124 billion for 2023, including a €240.2 million investment in new service developments. 

However, the €2 billion shortfall in the National Service Plan presents concerns for implementation of all healthcare budget investments.  

Concerns have also been raised separately over the lack of progress on the new National Children's Hospital, which has escalated to a final bill of €2 billion and has delayed opening to 2025.  

The HSE have been contacted for comment.