The Health Minister says the Health Service Executive (HSE) has done well to reduce its financial shortfall for the year to under €200 million.

James Reilly says the shortfall is only around 1.5% of the entire health budget for 2013.

He is appearing before TDs at the Health Committee today to seek official approval for a public bailout of €199 million.

He says delays in increasing fees for private health insurers are partly to blame for the overspend.

On Tuesday it was revealed that the health budget this year was overspent by €351 million.

The supplementary estimate for health is being discussed today and is expected to be voted through next week.