Health Service Executive (HSE) officials have spent almost €300 million on transport since 2005, according to figures released today.
A total of €292,027,872 was spent on mileage, air travel and public transport over the three year period, including €30,712,807 in the first four months of 2008.
The figures, released through a parliamentary question asked by Fine Gael health spokesman Dr James Reilly, show that HSE transport costs have risen steadily from €82 million in 2005 to €85 million in 2006 and to €93 million last year.
“As admitted this week, the Fianna Fáil/PD Government botched their single biggest health reform – the setting up the HSE – and we are now seeing the results of the Government’s inability to get a handle on the health service with expenditure on non-essential items such as staff transport sky-rocketing,” Dr Reilly said in a statement.
“Simply put, this staggering amount of cash could and should be put to better use. While some expenditure on staff transport is necessary, splurging €300 million in three years is completely indefensible.”
But the HSE responded to the figures this evening saying the “vast majority” of its expenditure on travel and subsistence is spent on frontline services.
“For example, 65 per cent of the expenditure in this area is incurred by our Primary, Community and Continuing Care staff where health personnel such as Public Health Nurses and Home helps have to travel out to deliver services to the homes of their clients,” the HSE said in a statement.
“In rural areas, in particular, this can lead to higher costs incurred.”
