asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a new funding system for public hospitals which will ensure equality of access for public/ private patients.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Hospitals Funding.
75.
As the Deputy is aware, I have set up a Commission on Health Funding to examine the funding of the health services including public hospitals, and to make recommendations on the extent and sources of the future funding required to provide an equitable, comprehensive and cost-effective public health service and on any changes in administration which seem desirable for that purpose. It is hoped that the commission's report will be available within the next few months.
Access for both public and private patients to public hospitals is at present, and will continue to be, determined on the basis of medical assessment of need.
Would the Minister agree that it is grossly unsatisfactory that public hospitals, some of which receive allocations of approximately £30 million annually — should receive such moneys regardless of the number of public patients they treat; that that constitutes a clear incentive to treat private patients for which they will receive extra money? Would the Minister agree that the funding system should be revised to ensure that the money given to hospitals is related only to patients treated?
As I have told the Deputy, I have set up a commission on funding in the health services. We are awaiting their report which will be examined carefully in due course.
Has the Minister any views of his own? I might add that, in response to every single question today, he has told the House that he has established either a committee or a working group. Can the Minister inform the House how many working groups he has established since assuming office?
On the questions concerned, I referred to two working parties, one on the dental services and a major commission on funding——
——and Temple Street.
Another committee.
I am satisfied that the allocations are made in an equitable way to the hospitals and I will await the report of this commission before any major changes are made.
(Interruptions.)
That is the end of Question Time for today.