aog - I didn't just pick out half the story! Your 2nd link bears out exactly what I'd said...!
Here's the text: More bad funding news for health service
[Posted: Mon 24/11/2008]
The health service's financial woes have increased following the news that an expected �350 million grant from the British government will not be materialising this year.
The HSE had, in its budgetary deliberations, factored in getting around �450 million this year from the UK for treating people in Irish hospitals who are covered by social insurance in Britain.
However, according to a report in today's Irish Times, the British Government has reviewed the amount paid to the HSE under this heading and has scaled down the payment to �100 million.
The Government will now have to introduce a supplementary estimate before the end of the year to make up the shortfall.
Meanwhile, health service unions have said that around 10% of the country's hospital beds will be closed next year due to cutbacks.
This would be in addition to over 500 beds that are already closed. Over 1,000 beds in the system are currently unavailable for admissions due to cutbacks, delayed discharges or refurbishment work.
HSE CEO Prof Brendan Drumm, in a recent interview with irishhealth.com. warned that the HSE may have to make savings of at least �300 or �400 million next year in order to live within its restricted budget.
This is in addition to �280 million in savings made this year
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The allegations contained in the first link were not substantiated at all. How does my post differ from that?