The University of Limerick Hospital's Group was responsible for over 10 million euro of an overspend in Ireland's hospital budget last year, even though Ennis General Hospital has remained under budget.
However, the HSE is now taking action to rein in spending.
Just under 17 million euro was spent at Ennis General Hospital last year, 450 thousand euro less than it had been allocated.
Spending was also under target in Nenagh, but overspends at University Hospiral Limerick and the Regional Orthopaedic Hospital in Croom have been largely responsible for the 10.1 million euro budget over-run in the MidWest.
That trend has continued this year, meanwhile – latest data to the end of February shows a 4.1 million euro over target at Dooradoyle. It's budget has been reduced by over 10 million euro, however.
The figures have emerged as the HSE moves to take steps to bring spending at Irish hospitals in line.
Director of Acute Hospitals Tony O'Connell says he wants to see 'immediate' action, while he's also criticised the general response to requests for hospitals to publish plans on how they'll contain their costs.
Separately this afternoon, nursing staff at University Hospital Limerick say they're under pressure once more today.
16 patients are on trolleys in the hospital's accident and emergency department, while 6 more are being accomodated in overflow areas of the hospital.
The total number of 22 is the second highest of any hospital outside of Dublin.
There are 8 people on trolleys in the A&E Department at University Hospital Galway.
