Table 1 Budget policy timeline 2008-2011

(i) Without Medical Cards: Increased Charges for IP Beds: Increased ED Charges; Increased Long-Stay Charges; Increased deductibles for drug payment scheme over-70s. Overall Health Budget for 2009 up by €200 million (1% increase)

Capital spending reduced by 26% Tax relief on nursing homes and hospitals ended

Extra funds made available to cover extra medical cards needed (€230 million)

Savings of over €1 billion (€4bn from total budget):

Savings of €746 million (€2.2 billion from total budget). Cut of 6.6% to HSE:

Commitment to UHI single tier system

Savings of €543 million (€2.2 billion from total budget)

(ii) With Medical Cards: removal of entitlement for IP Beds: Increased ED Charges; Increased Long-Stay Charges; Increased deductibles for drug payment scheme over-70s. Overall Health Budget for 2009 up by €200 million (1% increase)

• Wage Reductions (515%) and lower contract fees (€659 million)

• Voluntary redundancy and early retirement (€123 million)

• Pay cost containment (reduction in staffing, overtime, agency costs etc.) €145m

• Introduction of 50c item charge on prescriptions for medical card holders

• Cuts in drug spending and fees (€380 million)

• Reduction in procurement costs €50m

• Cut of €30million in spending on dentistry for those on medical cards

• Cuts in non-core pay costs, reduced agency and locum staffing (€200 million)

• Increased generation and collection of private income-€143m

• Increase drug reimbursement threshold to €120 per month

• Administration Cuts (€43 million)

• Demand led Schemes pharmaceutical reductions, DPS increase from €120-132 per month etc. (€124m)

+ making good the hospital deficits (€200m)