asked the Minister for Health the amount of deficits unpaid to voluntary hospitals at 31st December, 1970.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deficits of Voluntary Hospitals.
6.
To date grants paid in respect of the 1969 and 1970 revenue deficits of the participating voluntary hospitals have reached levels of 88 per cent and 77 per cent respectively, leaving £0.5 million and £1.4 million of estimated figures still to be met.
Further grants in respect of both periods will continue to be paid up to the close of the present financial year. These will be made on receipt of final accounts and more up-to-date estimates from the hospitals concerned.
Would the Minister say whether any amounts are outstanding in respect of years previous to 1969?
That I could not say. We have no figures for that. We hope to reach the level of 95 per cent of the payment of deficits before the end of the present financial year.
Is it the custom to publish the figures given to each voluntary hospital and, if not, why not?
I think we do publish them. I am not sure about that. The Deputy will have to ask a question about that.
I have asked the Minister's Department who say it is not the custom to furnish this information.
That is a separate question.