asked the Minister for Health if with reference to a reply of the 20th June last he will give a breakdown of the total amount collected by Dublin Health Authority in respect of attendances at X-rays and out-patients' departments for the year ended 29th February, 1968, showing the amount paid for (a) X-rays and (b) attendances other than those involving X-rays; and if he will state the cost of collection and by whom such cost was borne.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Health Authority X-Ray Fees.
73.
The breakdown is as follows:—
|
X-ray Clinics |
£14,570 18 7 |
|
Other out-patient clinics |
£20,612 11 8. |
The voluntary hospitals collect the fees and affix stamps for the appropriate amounts to the individual health service application forms which are then forwarded to Dublin Health Authority.
Information as to the cost to the voluntary hospitals of staff time devoted to fee collection is not readily available. This outlay forms part of the approved expenditure of the hospitals recognised for deficit grant recoupment from the Hospitals Trust Fund. The estimated staff cost to Dublin Health Authority arising out of the collection of these fees is £650 per annum. This expenditure would rank as approved health expenditure for the purpose of part recoupment through the health services grant.