An extra €497m is to be pumped into Health next year with measures for older people and those with disabilities included in Budget 2017 writes Irish Examiner Political Reporter Elaine Loughlin.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Pashcal Donohoe has told the Dáil that the €14.6billion available for Heath in 2017 will be the “highest ever level of health funding in the history of our country”.

Funds will also be provided to cut waiting list times and €5m is to go towards the establishment of a ‘Healthy Ireland Fund’ as well as the roll-out of Rotavirus and MenB vaccination proramme.

A total of €10m will go towards providing medical cards to all children in receipt of a domiciliary care allowance.

Mr Donohoe has also announced the €25 cap on prescription charges for the over 70s will be reduced to €20 from the beginning of March.

Funding will be provided to cutting waiting times for patients – a commitment that was contained in the Programme for Government.

Mr Donohoe said: “I am allocating an additional €15m to the National Treatment Purchase Fund to reduce waiting list.”

Reducing the numbers of people waiting to be discharged form hospitals by providing supports and pathways to allow patients move home or to a suitable community setting is also a priority.

The Budget commits to rolling out an additional 950 home care packages, 58 extra transitional care beds and 55 additional acute beds.

There will also be increased funding for aids and appliances and an expansion of community intervention teams.