asked the Minister for Health if he can give the cost of hospital services in Northern Ireland, and the cost in the Twenty-Six Counties.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Hospital Services.
63.
Mr. O'Malley
I assume the Deputy is referring to the costs to public funds of hospital services. These are not available separately; the figures which I give cover hospital services and out-patient specialist services. They do not include capital expenditure on hospitals.
The net estimated expenditure from public funds under the National Health Service in Northern Ireland on hospital and specialist services in the current financial year is £20 million.
The corresponding estimate for our health services is £24 million. This includes grants from the Hospitals Trust Fund in respect of revenue deficits of voluntary hospitals.
In view of the fact that Northern Ireland has a population of 1.4 million and we have double that, 2.8 million, surely we cannot get the desired results by spending on twice the population only £4 million more than Northern Ireland spends?
Mr. O'Malley
The Deputy may not be aware that taxation in the North is substantially greater than here and also the contributions for insurance purposes are vastly greater.
I am quite aware of that. I am also aware that between 1921 and 1932, our economies rose side by side. Since then, Northern Ireland exports have risen to £445 million and ours are £222 million. They can afford greater taxation. If we had not Fianna Fáil from 1932 onwards, we might be in a similar position.
Mr. O'Malley
The Deputy had better check with his friend, the Bishop of Galway.