Bed closures, the cancellation of surgery and a freeze on employing student nurses are planned at one of Dublin's main public hospitals in order to stay within budget this year.
According to the break-even plan for Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, the hospital intends to pull services back to 2006 levels.
It warns that the measures will have consequences for patient services.
This means longer waiting lists for operations, delays in outpatients and may also affect waiting times in the accident and emergency department.
In a letter to the Health Service Executive, Connolly Hospital management says it will also have to review provision of surgery and pathology tests to Our Lady's Hospital, Navan.
Connolly Hospital says it will be necessary if it does not get the funding as services are already over-stretched.
The plan proposes the closure of a surgical day ward for a month, and the outpatients department for several weeks during the summer and later in the year.
It also plans to maximise the use of private beds to generate income.
The teaching hospital serves a population of around 300,000 people in the west Dublin, Meath and Kildare catchment area and was given a budget this year of €102m.
It provides acute medical, surgical and psychiatric services, as well as long-stay care, day-care, outpatient, diagnostic and support services.
