The Government refuses increased funding for the HSE to provide basic health services yet over-budget renewable energy schemes are bailed out by funds diverted from the roll-out of broadband countrywide, it was claimed in the Dáil.
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan was criticised as he introduced a Dáil supplementary estimate of €16.2 million to fund a number of renewable energy initiatives because €10 million was being diverted from information and communications technology (ICT) projects.
Fine Gael communications, energy and natural resources spokesman Simon Coveney asked: "How can the Minister transfer money from a completely different budget area and not expect a negative impact on other capital investment programmes?"
He contrasted the diversion of funds from broadband services with the failure of the Government to provide funding to the HSE for "basic health services".
Labour spokeswoman Liz McManus said the estimate seemed to be "money that has been brought together to pay for debts already accrued".
The money was "not going for a new scheme, but to pay bills that have been run up in what seems a profligate manner, despite the fact it appears to be going to good causes".
The Opposition voted against the estimate.
However, Mr Ryan insisted that funds had been identified "from an unspent allocation relating to the national broadband scheme".
The €10 million had been allocated for the national broadband scheme, but it was not due to be spent this year "because it has taken slightly longer than we thought to set it up".
Introducing the supplementary estimate, the Minister said the allocation of additional funding was a recognition of Sustainable Energy Ireland's success in rolling out key capital programmes.
The Greener Homes Scheme had awarded 16,000 grants for renewable heat technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps and wood pellet boilers, but the budget was "not sufficient to pay all grant-approved householders".
