Vol. 270 No. 11
I move:
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £7,891,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1974, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Health (including Oifig an Ard-Chláraitheora), and certain services administered by that Office, including grants to Health Boards, miscellaneous grants and certain grants-in-aid.
It is normal in this House that when the Minister is reading a statement it is circulated to the Opposition.
It is a Supplementary Estimate and I have been informed by the Whips that it is agreed to take this without debate and that a token Estimate will be introduced later.
That was agreed but if the Minister has a script it would be useful to Deputy O'Malley.
The requirements as now ascertained under subheads G and K.1 of the Vote, which provide, respectively, for grants to health boards and to voluntary hospitals, are substantially in excess of the original provision. The increases are due mainly to the implementation of the 1973 budget provisions relating to increased rates of allowances for disabled persons, the introduction of a new form of allowance for severely handicapped children and the development of community welfare services, increases in hospital costs arising from pay and price increases and increased demands on general practitioner services.
Payments to cover excess requirements will fall to be made within the next few days and in these circumstances I find it necessary to ask the House to agree to the provision of the supplementary requirements without a debate.
If the House accedes to this request I shall introduce a token Estimate during the coming month so as to provide for a full debate.
On behalf of the Opposition I agree to this Supplementary Estimate on the understanding that a token Estimate for the Department of Health will be moved and debated fully in this House within the next couple of weeks. I understand that the Minister is prepared to do that.
Yes, I will do that.
