The South Eastern Health Board says it has overspent its budget by more than €6 million to date this year.
The executive was told yesterday of the situation, and while assurances were given that there were no plans to cut services, a report said it had been necessary "to defer expenditure of a discretionary nature".
The board's financial difficulties have been brought to the attention of the Department of Health, and additional funding has been sought. However, it was told that a positive response from the Department "cannot be anticipated".
By July 31st the board had overspent by €6.153 million. While it has a €6 million contingency fund, it says that "with current rate of increased spending, this fund will not be sufficient".