Health Service Spending Under Scrutiny | Cork News

Cork News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 30, 2026 · 1m

Health minister Jack Chambers is sounding the alarm on ballooning agency staff costs in the health service, warning that unchecked spending growth isn’t translating into better care. With government health spending set to soar to €118.5 billion this year — up from €67 billion in 2019 — Chambers insists more fiscal discipline is needed. Agency staff have surged 150% over six years, outpacing permanent hires, while frontline roles like doctors and nurses have grown far more modestly. He’s pushing for permanent recruitment to replace temp roles, calling out bloated admin positions and stressing…