asked the Minister for Health the full year Exchequer saving of a cut in expenditure from (a) the imposition of a £1 general medical service prescription charge, (b) the abolition of the drugs refund scheme, (c) the aboliton of the long term illness scheme, (d) the aboliton of the National Social Service Board, (e) the abolition of the National Rehabilitation Board, and (f) the abolition of the Health Education Bureau.
Written Answers. - Savings for Expenditure Cuts.
148.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
(a) Introduction of £1 general medical service prescription charge
It is broadly estimated that the introduction of a £1 charge on GMS prescriptions would generate between £15-£20 million in savings to the Exchequer in a full year.
(b) Abolition of drugs refund scheme
The full year cost of the operation of the drugs refund scheme in 1988 is £10.5 million. This sum includes provision of £1.5 million in respect of hardship cases.
(c) Abolition of long term illness scheme
The cost of the operation of the long term illness scheme is £8.5 million in 1988.
(d) National Social Service Board
The Deputy will be aware that I am in the process of reconstituting the National Social Service Board. The new board will, as its first task, produce a programme of work and activity related to the development of information services. The board's full year funding requirements will be determined having regard to this programme and will be met from national lottery proceeds.
(e) National Rehabilitation Board The 1988 allocation to the National Rehabilitation Board is £2.82 million.
(f) Health Education Bureau
The Health Education Bureau received funding of £2 million in 1987 from national lottery proceeds. The functions of the bureau have now been transferred to the health promotion unit within my Department.