Row as £677m overpaid to Irish health system
BRITISH taxpayers have overpaid up to 750 million (£677 million) over five years to support the Irish health system, triggering calls for an inquiry.
Millions have been diverted from the cash-strapped NHS over and above an existing commitment of about 225 million a year. A transcript from the Irish parliament shows that in 2007, the UK overpaid Ireland by at least 150 million.
The discrepancy came about because of a 40-year-old agreement to provide money to Ireland for pensioners who had worked in the UK and paid national insurance contributions.
Irish health minister Mary Varney has revealed that the UK government wants to claw the money back.
The Conservatives called for a parliamentary inquiry after the Department of Health refused to give more details on the discrepancy.
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Labour's handling of this situation has been yet another shambles.
"It's time for the government to get a grip on the NHS finances. Patients need to know exactly how much has been overpaid and why."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Family mourn death of Glasgow ‘fight’ schoolboy
- Rangers takeover: Duff & Phelps threaten legal action against BBC
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
- Rangers administration: Fans fear Duff & Phelps claims could scare off Green
- Rangers takeover: triple penalty punishment enough, says Johnston
- Alistair Darling leads ‘No to independence’ fight over tea and biscuits
- Scottish independence: Labour voters ‘will deliver independence’
- Scottish independence: SNP flip-flops over Nato
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond’s pledge to sign up 1m voters
- Scottish Independence: SNP ‘won’t be Yes campaign’s only voice’
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
