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McDevitt: Health Minister wants blank cheque from Committee

SDLP Health Spokesperson Conall McDevitt MLA said that Health Minister Michael McGimpsey is asking for a blank cheque from the Assembly’s Health Committee by refusing to share any information on how his department will respond to the proposed cuts of £113.5 million being sought by the Department of Finance.

Thu 28th January

He said: “The Minister is asking for unconditional support but isunwilling to provide the committee with any details on his response to the 2010 – 2011 spending plans.

 

“This head in the sand approach could make the situation much worse and threaten important frontline services. He claimed to have cut all the fat out of the system but was unable to confirm that he has moved programme expenditure to zero-based budgeting which requires that all programme be evaluated annually to allow resources to be reallocated from underperforming areas.

 

“The Minister also refused to review the merit pay system for doctors and consultants which has been widely criticised by the trade unions.

"The SDLP will support the Minister and the Health Service but we can only do so if he is able to provide us with the information we need to do this. Every other department has published a response to the  Minister of Finance. This has to change."

 

Mr McDevitt called on the Ministers for Health to provide the Assembly Hleath Committee with meaningful information on how he intends to respond to the Finance Minister’s demands.

Conall McDevitt

Conall McDevitt MLA

Email c.mcdevitt@sdlp.ie
Tel 028 9068 3535

Press Office

Tel 028 90 52 1837

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