Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - VHI Payments.

Martin Cullen

Question:

14 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Health the amount of money that has been paid out by the VHI to each of the eight health boards and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth, Beaumont Hospital Dublin 9, Mater Hospital, Dublin 7, St. Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, Portiuncla Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway, Mercy Hospital, Cork, Bon Secours Hospital, Cork, Bon Secours Hospital, Dublin 9, Bon Secours Hospital, Tuam, County Galway, Bon Secours Hospital, Tralee, County Kerry, Blackrock Clinic, Dublin, Galvia St. Joseph's Hospital, Raheny, Dublin 5, Mount Carmel Hospital, Dublin, Aut Even, County Kilkenny and Ely Hospital, County Wexford.

Mr. Howlin

I am arranging to have circulated in the Official Report a table which sets out the information requested by the Deputy in respect of the year ending February 1994.

VHI Payments to Health Agencies

	Year ending February 1994
	£m
Eastern Health Board	0.952
Midland Health Board	1.439
Mid-Western Health Board	4.003
North-Eastern Health Board	1.586
North-Western Health Board	1.970
South-Eastern Health Board	2.824
Southern Health Board	4.043
Western Health Board	3.941
Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth	2.240
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9	3.203
Mater Hospital, Dublin 7	1.354
St. Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin	2.098
Portiuncla Hospital, Ballinasloe,	0.975
County Galway
Mercy Hospital, Cork	2.607
Bon Secours Hospital, Tralee, County Kerry	3.287
Blackrock Clinic, Dublin	11.986
Galvia, Galway	4.230
St. Joseph's Hospital, Raheny, Dublin 5	2.653
Mount Carmel Hospital, Dublin	6.986
Aut Even, Kilkenny	2.291
Ely Hospital, County Wexford	0.787

Ms McManus

On a point of order, although one would not realise it from some of the replies he has given today, the Minister has given a commitment to be accountable. Will he consider the problem being experienced by Deputies where we are either not given information or it is given in such a form that it cannot be discussed at Question Time? Will the Leas-Cheann Comhairle also consider this problem? Once questions are tabled and accepted some means must be found of ensuring that information given in tabular statements can be debated in this House.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That can be raised, perhaps on the Adjournment, or at another time, using the subject matter of the Minister's tabulated reply.

Mr. Howlin

I am happy to read the tabular statement, if required.

Ms McManus

Why can the Minister not give it to us? There is such a thing as a photocopier?

Mr. Howlin

It is a matter of routine, when questions are asked about information, they are circulated in tabular form. I would be happy to support any request from the Whips to do it in a different manner. However, in relation to pursuing a matter on the Adjournment subsequently, I might point out to the Deputy and the House that the subject of one of the questions I am answering this afternoon has been accepted for the Adjournment debate.

Ms O'Donnell

I thought that involved the same problem, that it was a reply by way of a tabular statement.

Mr. Howlin

It is one page. I will happily read it.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

No, it is a tabular statement. We have dealt with the issue. Has the Minister replied to Question No. 14?

Mr. Howlin

Yes.

Ms O'Donnell

He has not actually responded by reading out the tabular statement. May I put a supplementary anyway?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

It is the same thing again.

Ms O'Donnell

It is the same problem.

Mr. Howlin

It is all good news, about the money and all the posts I am providing. I wish I could read it into the record.

Mr. Deasy

The Minister is on a blinder.

Mr. Howlin

Cynicism ill becomes the Deputy.