asked the Minister for Health whether it is a fact that the amount provided by the Dáil in respect of health services grants for the current year has been exhausted and that in consequence the local authorities have been notified that these grants will not be paid this year on the customary dates; and, if so, to state the reasons why the grants in question have been found to be insufficient and the statutory obligations of the Exchequer to the local authorities have not been honoured.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services Grants.
The amount provided by the Dáil in respect of health services grants for the current year has proved insufficient for the reason that the estimates of expenditure furnished by health authorities prior to the date upon which I took up office have been exceeded for various reasons, including (a) the provision of over 800 extra beds for persons suffering from tuberculosis, (b) the payment of increased bonus to health authority staffs and (c) the introduction of a 96-hour fortnight for nurses and mental hospital attendants, etc.
The Deputy is aware that the Estimate for my Department for the health services grant must necessarily be based upon the figures furnished by health authorities, and that any substantial increase in actual expenditure by health authorities in excess of these figures involves a Supplementary Estimate for the health services grant.
There is no date fixed by statute by which these grants must be paid.
Health authorities were informed on the 20th December that the second instalment of the grant will be paid in full before the end of the financial year.
84 per cent. of the estimated health services grant due for the current financial year has already been paid.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, does the Minister suggest that the provision of 800 beds spread all over the Twenty-Six Counties has been responsible for such an increase in the estimates of the local authorities as to render the money provided by the Dáil for the purpose of this health services grant insufficient?
I did not, of course, say that. That is one of the items which I mentioned as one of the causes giving rise to the necessity for the introduction of a Supplementary Estimate. I would point out to the Deputy that he will, if he wishes, have an opportunity of further discussing this matter on my Estimate.
Perhaps I may, but at the moment can the Minister say what the total expenditure was on the provision of these additional beds? To what extent is it responsible for the deficit in the Estimate?
It is, of course, quite impossible to give you exactly the proportion for which these beds are responsible.
What did the 800 beds cost?
Are you objecting to the provision of these 800 beds?
The Deputy is aware that it is not the actual provision of the beds that is responsible for the Supplementary Estimate. He must appreciate and understand that a lot of that expenditure would be taken as capital expenditure and consequently would not arise completely on my Supplementary Estimate. The beds would involve the employment of additional staff and in that way would increase the commitments of the local authorities.
Did the local authorities request that the 96-hour fortnight should be granted or that these additional sums to which he has referred should be provided for, or was it merely at the instance of the Minister himself?
Does the Deputy object to these provisions?
That is not the point. I am not asking you.
I know it is not the point.
I have made recommendations to the local authorities. As the Deputy is well aware, I cannot use force in regard to any recommendations—particularly in regard to the 96-hour fortnight or the provision of additional beds, but I have been fortunate in meeting a considerable amount of intelligent co-operation by the local authorities in my suggestions that these improvements should be brought about.