Health Minister James Reilly has said factors which were likely to lead to a HSE overspend this year were well signposted earlier in the year.

These included delays in implementing cuts to health professionals' fees, delays in implementing the Haddington Road pay agreement and a delay in introducing legislation to allow hospital to charge for private patients in public beds.

Dr Reilly said the net extra funding being sought for the HSE from the Government would be €199 million.