asked the Minister for Health the estimated total Government grant for health services for 1967-68 appearing in the provisional estimates of expenses and draft demands, as published in 1966, formed on the assumption that the supplementary grants would continue on the same basis as obtained in 1966-67 of (a) Dublin Health Authority (b) Cork Health Authority (c) Limerick Health Authority and (d) Waterford Health Authority; the amount of Government grant for 1967-68 subsequently notified to each health authority; the estimated short-fall in revenue in each case; and if it is proposed to amend the law to permit the health authorities to serve supplementary demands on the rating authorities or to allow the rating authorities to make loans to the health authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services Grants.
Mr. O'Malley
It is not proposed to introduce legislation to amend the law so as to permit the joint health authorities to serve supplementary demands on the rating authorities. I am advised that, if a rating authority is aware before striking its rate for any year that the amount which has been demanded on it for any purpose is likely to be insufficient, it may, in pursuance of prudent financial practice, raise a sum by way of its rate for that year to meet its increased liability, which would be reflected in the demand for the following year.
Under section 5 of the Local Government (No. 2) Act, 1960, a rating authority already has power to lend money to a joint health authority. I would be prepared to sanction such lending in appropriate cases to meet any difficulties which may arise in relation to the joint health authorities' demands for the coming year.
As the financial information requested by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
|
Health Authority |
Estimated total Government Grant for health services for 1967-68 as in provisional estimate of expenses and draft demands |
Health Grant Allocation notified to health authority |
Additional grant payable |
Total Grants |
Amount by which total grants fall short of estimated grant Col. (2)— Col. (5) |
|
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
(6) |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
Dublin |
5,554,841 |
5,124,000 |
1,000 |
5,125,000 |
429,841 |
|
Cork |
2,681,100 |
2,616,000 |
31,000 |
2,647,000 |
34,100 |
|
Limerick |
1,039,707 |
1,036,000 |
5,000 |
1,041,000 |
nil |
|
Waterford |
676,641 |
658,000 |
nil |
658,000 |
18,641 |
NOTE: The payments referred to in Column (4) of the table are to meet the cost of radio telephone equipment for ambulances and the capital cost of flouridation. The amounts shown are based on preliminary estimates and may be varied as a result of further examination.
Is the Minister under the impression that the remedy he is suggesting would be adequate to meet the complaint his colleague, Deputy P.J. Burke, made about Dublin Health Authority? They are £432 short this year as a result of the manipulation of the Department of Health.
Mr. O'Malley
I did not hear Deputy P.J. Burke raise that point.
Will the Minister take my word that Dublin Health Authority are down £432? They were not aware of this until about an hour in advance of their rating arrangement, as a result of which they could not recast their programme.
Mr. O'Malley
I think I set out the formula by which this can be rectified.
Is the Minister suggesting to solve the problem? If the Minister for Health had anything to do with it, it would be in a bigger mess than agriculture is at the moment. I am speaking about the Minister for Education now.