andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Health (a) the total number and names of voluntary hospitals or institutions with whom the Eastern Health Board (formerly the Dublin Health Authority Section) had made contracts for services for care and maintenance of patients to which moneys are still owing for non-payment of charges made for these services; and (b) the period and amounts due in each case for which such charges are outstanding where they are due for a longer period than one financial year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Care and Maintenance of Hospital Patients.
7.
Dr. Browne
This question relates to an aspect of the detailed administration of the health services which is the responsibility of the Eastern Health Board from whom the required information can be obtained.
Does the Minister know that there are many hospitals which have moneys outstanding with the Eastern Health Board and that they can get no good out of them in the matter of getting paid for services already provided? They are finding it very embarrassing indeed trying to continue to get bank loans in order to meet the outgoings from their hospitals while they await the payment of these moneys by the Eastern Health Board.
All I can say is that I will bring the Deputy's statement to the notice of the Department of Health and also to the notice of the Eastern Health Board of which his colleague Deputy Dr. O'Connell is a member.
The Minister says this is a matter for the Eastern Health Board. It is not. It is a matter for the official of the Eastern Health Board. I think the Minister might be wrong in saying it is a matter for the members. We have no control and no power in the matter. It is the CEO of the Eastern Health Board who is responsible for this. Deputies on all sides will agree on this.