The HSE has asked for extra time to figure out how it will operate with a lower budget.

Director General Tony O'Brien says he has requested another ten days to finish a service plan, after the HSE's budget was slashed last month. Tomorrow was the original budgetary deadline, but health minister James Reilly had already indicated that more time might be needed.

The health budget was cut by €666 million in the budget, and the HSE has already been given extra time to complete its plan.

But Mr O'Brien says more time will be needed: