The Irish Hospital Consultants Association has warned demand for public health services will increase next year as the unemployment rate rises.
In its pre-Budget submission, the association said an increase of €650 million, or 4.3 per cent, would be needed to cater for the demand for healthcare services next year and to make up for the shortfall this year.
It said the deficit for 2009 was expected to be some €190 million.
It warned an additional €330 million would be needed to pay for medical card and demand-led services if unemployment continues at current levels.
The IHCA said demand for public healthcare was expected to rise as the number of people with private health insurance falls. It said an estimated 56,000 fewer people will have insurance over the course of this year.
The association said provision needs to be made in the Budget for the cost of at least halving the waiting list for inpatient and day case services. It recommended reopening of the 594 beds closed so far this year and freeing up blocked beds.
The cost of tackling the swine flu pandemic, including purchasing vaccines, was €45 million up to July, the IHCA said, predicting it would rise considerably by the end of the year. It warned that a contingency fund for increased hospital admissions and further vaccines must be included in the forthcoming Budget to address the expected impact of swine flu.
The association also called for funding for increased demands for mental health services and the provision of separate child and adolescent psychiatric accommodation to be included in the Budget.