The Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin have given their full support to James Reilly.

James Reilly is under pressure over spending in his department - with opposition calls for his resignation; whilst Minister Howlin is sending in officials from his own department to oversee the health budget for next year.

Responding to questions on whether or not health cuts could exceed the planned €666 million announced in the budget, Minister Howlin acknowledged that there are pressures when it comes to the expansion of some services next year.

But he says Minister Reilly has his full support:

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has also given his backing.

Minister Reilly meanwhile has said he has no intention of stepping down, despite opposition calls for his resignation.

Cuts of €1 billion rumoured

Reacting to rumours that cuts to the Health service next year could top €1 billion, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has acknowledged that there are pressures when it comes to the expansion of some health services next year.

€666 million is the official savings target Minister Reilly has been asked to achieve, but it is thought cuts could reach the higher figure if the promised expansion of maternity services and cuts to junior doctors hours go ahead.

Minister Howlin says the issue will be discussed as part of the HSE service plan over the next few weeks, "There are pressures of future expansions and developments that the department of Health wants to achieve next year. They will be discussed within the department and we will see the service plan that the department of Health will produce over the next number of weeks."