An analysis of public expenditure has warned that the health service must stick to its spending limits for the next three years 'without recourse to additional Exchequer allocations'.

The report, published in tandem with Budget 2015 measures, provides for modest increases in health service spending up to 2017 following major cuts in recent years. It says this includes responding to emerging spending pressures in health.

However, the figures provided today indicate that health is actually getting less in 2015 than in 2014. Then 2014 helath expenditure ceiling provided for in the last Budget was around €13.4 million.

The report says expenditure ceilings for the health service for the next three years are - €13.1 billion for 2015, €13.25 billion in 2016 and €13.29 billion in 2017. The increase is relatively modest, rising by €213 million over the three-year period.

The report, by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, says in order to stick to these budgets, commitment to ongoing reform and efficiency measures and 're-prioritisation of expenditure as appropriate' will be necessary.

The spending provisions includes plans for free GP care for all under sixes and all over 70s, which are expected to be introduced next year, subject to agreement with the doctors' union, the IMO.

Health Budget measures announced.