Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 5

Written Answers. - Payments by Health Boards.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

48 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health the total amounts paid by the health boards in (a) bank charges and (b) bank interest in each of the past two years; if he will consider making an approach to the banks to establish whether they would consider an arrangement on bank charges for health boards similar to that agreed for the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The total amounts paid by the health boards in bank charges and bank interest in each of the past two years are as follows:

	1988	1989
	£ Million	£ Million
Bank charges	0.597	1.070
Bank interest	1.013	0.977

My Department have commenced discussions with the principal banking groups along the lines of those involving the Department of the Environment and the local authorities. These discussions are aimed at maximising the effective use of the banking system by the health boards and minimising the level of banks' fees incurred.