The Health Minister is warning HSE managers to live within their means and realise they are not getting a blank cheque.

Simon Harris’ comments come after the Cabinet approved an extra €500m in the health budget for this year, with Justice getting an extra €40m.

Minister Harris has said the money will be used for more home-help hours, to restore the mental health budget and deal with overcrowding in A and E’s this winter.

But he has warned there can be no further money provided to health this year: “Let me be very very clear, this is not a blank cheque for our health service.

“Our health service must be accountable and live within its budget.

“The HSE now believe that the level of funding that I and the Government have provided to the HSE is sustainable.

“That it puts the health service on a sustainable footing after a number of difficult years.

“In return I think it is quite appropriate that the Irish Government, the Irish patient, the Irish taxpayer, would expect that those who are paid to manage within the health service manage.”