asked the Minister for Health if he will state, in relation to his statement in circular HSG 221, addressed to managers of health authorities on 12th February, 1969, that he felt that in the health services substantial economies could be found, in what sections of the health services members of health authorities should seek for these substantial economies; and how it is intended to maintain services that must be statutorily provided under the Health Act, 1953, and at the same time greatly decrease expenditure.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services.
87.
The circular letter to which the Deputy refers explained the circumstances in which health authorities were asked to re-examine their estimates. These were, briefly, the unprecedented increase in the total of estimated requirements for the year 1969-70 as compared with the preceding year and the difficulties which are anticipated by the Minister for Finance in the general Budget situation for the coming year. As no substantial extensions of the health services had to be provided for, the exceptionally large increases in the overall health costs would not have been realised by individual health authorities, and for that reason, I considered it necessary to explain the situation to each authority and to ask for a re-examination of estimates. I did not assume that any particular sections of the health services would afford a common basis for reduction of demands on the rates and Exchequer, and, accordingly, I left it to the bodies administering the services to use their own judgment as to what items might be reduced without detriment to the effectiveness of the services.
I do not accept the suggestion, implicit in the question, that any economies effected by a health authority in view of the particular difficulties of the coming financial year must necessarily influence the maintenance of the statutory services.
Is the Minister aware that the largest proportion of the increase is due to salaries and wages and to exorbitant drug prices over which the health authorities have no control? Where does he suggest we can make reduction?
Is the Minister aware that in a record high rate of 85/- in the £, Dublin Corporation have to meet a bill of 33/- in the £ for health alone? Is he aware that we are waiting with anxiety for his decision on the remission of this burden?
The only comment I have to make is that I have agreed with the Minister for Finance to receive a representative of the Dublin Health Authority on Tuesday next.
Will the same apply to every other health authority in the country?
No.
Dublin is a special case, anyway.
If I have any extra money, I will give it to the west of Ireland, not to Dublin.
Would the Minister consider accepting full responsibility for extern hospital maintenance?
That is a separate question.
88.
asked the Minister for Health if he has adverted to the statement made by his predecessor in the Seanad on 12th January, 1966, that the Government were not then happy that the local share of health cost was being equitably distributed between the various health authorities and that he was discussing the problem with the Minister for Local Government; and what steps the Government took as a result of those discussions.
This matter has been considered in conjunction with the Minister for Local Government in the preparation of the Health Bill, 1969, which will shortly be before the House. It will arise for discussion on that Bill.
89.
asked the Minister for Health if he has any immediate plan to alleviate the high increase in rates throughout the country caused by the increasing health charges which affect the rates in every local authority.
I have already told the House that I have asked health authorities to re-examine critically their estimates for the coming financial year and to endeavour to achieve reductions in projected expenditure, without detriment to the efficiency or availability of the services. When the replies to my request and other data relating to estimated increases in rates next year have been considered, I shall be in a position to make a statement on the situation.
Is the Minister aware that when the health scheme was first introduced it was stated it would not place a burden of more than 2/- in the £ on the rates and that it is roughly 30/- — between 25/- and 30/- — in the majority of cases? Is he aware that in 1965 the late Deputy O'Malley, as Minister for Health, promised to stabilise the health rate in every health authority in Ireland at that time?
For that year.
That was never mentioned. The Minister is quite well aware that was a general election year and I could bring him evidence of where Fianna Fáil candidates spoke and never mentioned that year.
A Fine Gael man would never make a statement like that.
We all know that. We know you are telling the truth there. That is an honest statement from you with which I entirely agree.