Debate contribution: Health Funding
Debate contribution by Mr John O'Dowd on .
- MLA
- Mr John O'Dowd
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 12 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Health Funding
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5786075
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Until the Budget is in place, it is not possible to make any additional allocations to Departments. The Member will know that decisions on allocations to individual Departments are for the Executive as a whole. I recently met the Health Minister to discuss the significant budgetary pressures facing our health service. I fully support building on the progress already made in reducing health service waiting lists. As Finance Minister, I have demonstrated my commitment to prioritising funding for the health service. The 2025-26 Budget included an earmarked allocation of £165 million for the Department of Health to reduce waiting lists and increase elective care capacity. The draft multi-year Budget that I brought forward proposed maintaining that additional £165 million in each year of the three-year period. Together with support from the transformation fund, that investment has contributed to the progress made in tackling waiting lists during 2025-26 and continuing into 2026-27, delivering real benefits for people awaiting medical care. More progress is needed. It is therefore vital that the Executive secure a fair and sustainable funding settlement for the health service and all our public services. The Executive remain ready to engage urgently and constructively with the British Government to secure sufficient support for the current financial year and a credible path towards sustainable public finances.
216 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Awaiting analysis
This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.