Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 7

Written Answers. - Health Board and Voluntary Hospitals Budget Deficit.

Enda Kenny

Question:

170 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the value of payable orders withheld from suppliers by health boards and voluntary hospitals as at 30 September 1991 due to shortage of cash; and if he will outline his proposals to solve this problem.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The value of payments held by the health boards at 27 September 1991, the last date in September for which figures are available, was £40.3 million. The breakdown of the figures is as follows:

Health Board	£m
Eastern	16.4
Midland	1.8
Mid-Western	4.0
North-Eastern	1.3
North-Western	1.0
South-Eastern	5.6
Southern	7.7
Western	2.5
	40.3

As I have pointed out before to the Deputy, the timing of issue of creditors payments is a matter for each individual agency to decide. In considering the above figure the amount outstanding to creditors on any particular date is related to the timing of payments rather than an indication of financial performance. The information relating to all voluntary hospitals is not readily available. However, it is estimated that the amount involved for the major voluntary hospitals would be £8 million.