Minister Simon Harris and Ministers of State Finian McGrath, Catherine Byrne, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy & Helen McEntee have secured a total budget to €14.6 billion, the highest ever health budget.

For 2017, the Department of Health will have funding of €14,152 for current expenditure and €454 million for capital expenditure. This represents an increase of €977 million on the 2016 budget for current expenditure and €40 million for capital expenditure. The provision for 2017 represents a 7.4% increase on the original Voted Budget for 2016 and a 3.5% increase on the final projected 2016 outturn..........

Social Inclusion
Funding of €3 million is provided for preparations for the new National Drugs Strategy (which is currently being finalised for submission to Government early in the New Year) and other social inclusion measures.