Vol. 369 No. 1
asked the Minister for Health the estimated shortfall in 1986 for each health board on 30 September; if he has entered negotiations with a bank to fund the health care agencies during the remainder of 1986; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
283.
asked the Minister for Health the estimated shortfall of the voluntary hospitals in 1986.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 283 together.
As the Deputy is aware the budgetary arrangements for the health services for 1986 require that expenditure be contained within the limits of approved allocations. Health boards and voluntary hospitals have been instructed accordingly and are expected to take all possible steps to achieve satisfactory budgetary results for the current year.
Some health boards and hospitals are, however, experiencing difficulties in containing expenditure within the limits of approved allocations. My Department is in close touch with these agencies on a continuing basis to ensure that all possible steps are taken to resolve the difficulties, consistent with the maintenance of emergency and other essential services.
In these circumstances the Deputy will appreciate that the budgetary outlook for the year is constantly changing and that any estimates of shortfalls at this stage would imply my acceptance that in general health agencies have reached the end of the road as regards achieving further reductions in expenditure. This I am not prepared to accept.
I have not entered into negotiations with a bank to fund health care agencies during the remainder of 1986. The traditional bank facilities are basically a matter for arrangement between the health agencies and their banks. I expect that these will be adequate to meet health agencies' requirements in 1986.
