asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to each health board of withdrawing half of the food subsidies; and if he intends to make a special allocation to the health board to meet this extra charge.
Written Answers. - Allocation to Health Boards.
483.
The estimated cost to each health board in 1984 arising from the partial abolition of subsidies on certain foodstuffs is set out below:
Board |
Estimated Cost 1984 |
Eastern |
£80,000 |
Midland |
£23,000 |
Mid-Western |
£30,000 |
North-Eastern |
£30,000 |
North-Western |
£49,000 |
South-Eastern |
£50,000 |
Southern |
£85,000 |
Western |
£73,000 |
There are no funds at my disposal which would enable me to provide a special extra allocation for health boards to meet this extra charge. I might mention that health boards were informed in December 1983 that their 1984 approved allocation was intended to cover all price movements in 1984.