asked the Minister for Health if in view of the substantial projected increase in the estimates for health authorities for the coming financial year, he is in a position to say what contribution will be made from the Central Fund to ease this burden.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Authorities' Estimates.
64.
I am not yet in a position to say what contribution, additional to the statutory grant at the rate of 50 per cent, will be made from the Central Fund towards the cost of health services in 1969-70. In view of the very substantial increase in estimates of health expenditure I have asked the health authorities to reexamine their estimates and to try to achieve substantial reductions. The amount of the contribution that can be provided from Central Funds will be determined when details of the reduced estimates are available.
The Minister is aware that the prospect of substantial reductions being made by the re-examination is not very hopeful and, in the circumstances, has the Minister any plans to provide additional relief? In the Dublin Health Authority this year the increase due to health charges is about 5/- and, in fact, I think it is more than 50 per cent of the increase in certain areas of the Health Authority. In those circumstances, therefore, would the Minister consider an extra grant in respect of the rates burden?
I do not think I would be prepared to consider an extra grant special to the Dublin Health Authority, but I can say that I have given every consideration to trying to increase to a maximum—over 50 per cent—what the Central Fund will bear. However, since the result of the inquiries of the health authorities will have some bearing, I obviously cannot give a definite figure now.
Is the Minister aware that estimates which were given to his Department in October last fall very much short of the amount required and that, in fact, costs even for external institutions which have been submitted since have gone sky high? In some cases the costs has increased by about 20 per cent and, in view of this does the Minister not think that it is useless asking health authorities to cut back on the original figures because they will not be able to live within them?
In view of the enormous increase over the estimates, I shall have to ask them to examine as carefully as they can every possibility of a reduction.
The Minister does not get the point I am making.
I do.
The Minister is asking them to examine the figures which were submitted last October.
I appreciate the situation in which they find themselves and, as I say, I am asking them to go back over the whole situation to see if there is any way in which they can effect substantial reductions.
In view of the Minister's realisation of the gravity of the rise in the rate burden this year due to health charges, can he say what progress has been made with regard to providing health services on a contributory insurance basis?
That seems to be a separate question.
That will be dealt with later this evening.