Vol. 407 No. 6
174 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the specific amount of moneys allocated to each health board in 1991 for the implementation of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 and the Child Care Bill, 1988; if he has satisfied himself with the capacity of each health board to meet its obligations under these pieces of legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A sum of £1 million has been provided in the 1991 budget to begin the implementation of the Child Care Bill, 1988. As the Deputy is aware the Bill is currently before the Seanad and it is hoped that it will be enacted by the summer.
I am currently examining proposals in respect of this allocation which have been submitted by the health boards concerning the immediate requirements needed to initiate the implementation of the Bill. I regret therefore that I am not in a position at present to give the Deputy details of the specific amounts which will be allocated to each of the boards.
The Programme for Economic and Social Progress contains a commitment to implement the Child Care Bill, 1988, when enacted, on a phased basis and to gradually make available additional staffing and other resources through the provision of additional funding over the next seven years.
In regard to implementation of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, the following sums have been made available to the eight health boards in 1991:
|
£ |
|
|
Eastern |
147,000 |
|
Midland |
30,000 |
|
Mid-Western |
45,500 |
|
North-Eastern |
42,000 |
|
North-Western |
38,000 |
|
South-Eastern |
54,500 |
|
Southern |
81,500 |
|
Western |
61,500 |
|
Total |
500,000 |
