Nearly nine out of 10 people believe Health Minister James Reilly should resign rather than preside over an unsafe level of health cuts next year, according to our latest poll.

The Health Minister is currently reviewing the HSE's proposed service plan for 2014, which when published may provide for health cuts of between €666 million and €1 billion next year.

The plan is expected to provide for reductions in the number of medical cards, job cuts, and cuts to community services, while further cuts to hospital budgets may lead to service reductions and increased waiting lists.

Some hospital chiefs have already warned of the effects of continuing health cuts on patient care and safety and have claimed the system is now essentially at breaking point.

We asked readers whether they thought James Reilly should resign rather than preside over cuts that could impact on patient safety.

Eighty five per cent said yes, while 11% said no and 4% weren't sure.

The HSE is expected to require a Department of Health bail-out of around €300 million for 2013 based on the shortfall it is likely to run up by the end of the year.

View the poll results and results of previous polls here