Government spent nearly $52 million more than it expected last year, with hospital subsidies costing $18 million more than originally budgeted.

A supplementary estimate tabled in the House of Assembly showed revealed costs for the financial year 2011/12 were estimated at $70,376,600.

A total of $18,458,000 was described as “technical subsidies” balanced by underspending in other areas.

Government spent $51,900,000 more than it originally budgeted for the 2011/12 financial year.

The House of Assembly will now have to approve the figures.

A total of eight ministries required supplements last year, with the Ministry of Health spending $21 million more than originally budgeted.

The bulk of the additional expenditure came from subsidies at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, which cost $18 million more than had been forecast.

Another $3 million in unbudgeted funds were put towards health insurance, specifically portability claims.

This is the third year in a row the cost for subsidies, which support medical care for seniors, children and those who otherwise cannot afford treatment, have been notably higher than expected.

The budget was exceeded by $15 million in each of the previous two years.

KEMH was budgeted $104 million for the 2012/13 fiscal year, an increase of $19.3 million.

The Ministry of Youth, Families and Sports also spent more than anticipated, with the budgets for Financial Assistance Grants and Child Day Care Allowance swelling by more than $12.3 million.

Supplementary funds were also required for:

n The Ministry of National Security $8 million for police pay awards, $2.5 million for salaries/overtime and operational costs at Border Control, $700,000 in pay awards for fire officers and $300,000 in pay awards for regimental officers;

n The Ministry of Education $11 million for substitutes, para-educators and operational costs;

n The Ministry of Justice $3.4 million for legal aid, $2.3 million for overtime at the Department of Corrections and $250,000 for criminal injuries compensation;

n The Ministry of Public Works $3.5 million for a golf course operational grant;

n The Ministry of Finance HQ $2.7 million for employer overheads;

n The Ministry of Transport $2.5 million for salaries/wages, overtime and operational costs.