The HSE says it will need exceptional focus to break even next year,– even though it got an extra €625 million in funding for the health budget.

The Health Service Executive is publishing its divisional operational plans for 2015 this morning – breaking down spending on sectors like Mental Health, Acute Hospitals and Social Care.

Despite an increased budget - funding for acute hospitals in 2015 is down on what the HSE’s expected to spend this year – by point eight percent.

The Executive says huge efforts will have to be made in the New Year to reduce Agency staff – so that the hospital system reaches an affordable level by mid-February.