asked the Minister for Health if he will state the provision made in the Estimate for his Department in each of the years 1953-54 to 1957-58 for allowances to disabled persons, and the actual expenditure incurred in each of the years 1953-54 to 1956-57.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disablement Allowances and Medical Supplies.
asked the Minister for Health if he will state the amount provided in the Estimate for his Department, for medical supplies, and the amount expended thereon, in each of the years 1953-54 to 1956-57.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.
The amount provided in the Estimates for my Department in respect of any particular health service in any year consists of balances of grant to health authorities in respect of their global health expenditure in previous years together with grant in respect of 95 per cent. of expenditure in the year concerned. Consequently, it is not possible to furnish the precise information requested by the Deputy.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the official reply a table showing in respect of each of the years the local authority estimate of expenditure in that year and the actual expenditure where available and where audited figures are not available, the unaudited figure or the last revised estimate, whichever is the later.
The figures in the table do not include the cost of medicines for health authority patients treated in extern institutions since such cost is merged in a flat capitation payment and the amount is not ascertainable.
The Disabled Persons (Maintenance) Allowances first became payable on 1st October, 1954, on which date subsection (5) of Section 56 of the Health Act, 1953 was brought into operation. Consequently there was no expenditure on this service in 1953-54.
Following is the Table referred to:—
TABLE showing health authority estimates of expenditure on medicines and medical supplies and Disabled Persons' (Maintenance) Allowances together with latest available figures of expenditure.
|
Medicines, etc. |
Disabled Persons' Allowances |
|||
|
Original Estimate |
Expenditure |
Original Estimate |
Expenditure |
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
1953-54 |
499 |
457 |
— |
— |
|
1954-55 |
494 |
523 |
— |
157 |
|
1955-56 |
609 |
617 |
492 |
589 |
|
1956-57 |
655 |
661 |
628 |
701 |