Funding for health services is being increased slightly for the first time since 2008.

The HSE's Service Plan for 2015 shows that there will be €115 million extra to spend - an increase of 1%.

Disability services will get an increase of €20 million - with €35 million being allocated to mental health services.

€25 million will be spent on the roll-out of free GP care for children under 6 - with 12 million on over 70s free GP care.

The HSE plan also contains funding to cover the recruitment of more midwives and consultants in maternity services.

However the Health Minister Leo Varadkar says there are many challenges still face the health sector.

The Minister's key objective with the HSE's Service Plan for 2015 will be to reverse the fall in the number of doctors and nurses.

Extra staff will also be hired to focus on cancer care.

Newstak's Political Editor Shane Coleman spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning about the report and stated that there are doubts about the impact that money will have:

Leo Varadkar spoke about the HSE plan for 2015 stating: "It's not going to be enough to solve.. but it does represent a turning point."