Noel Treacy
Question:9 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Health the percentage of the non-capital health care budget that is allocated in 1995 for community care. [4573/95]
Vol. 449 No. 8
9 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Health the percentage of the non-capital health care budget that is allocated in 1995 for community care. [4573/95]
(Limerick East): It is estimated that approximately £607 million or 25 per cent of approved non-capital health expenditure will be spent on community protection, health and welfare services this year. This compares with an estimated £546 million or 24 per cent approximately after the budget in 1994, when an adjustment is made for the transfer of responsibility, to the Department of Social Welfare, for the disabled person's maintenance allowance scheme. In addition health boards provide community based services for those with mental illness, mental handicap and physical disabilities in the psychiatric and services for the handicapped programmes, which are generally encompassed in the health boards' special hospital programme. The Deputy should also be aware that in this year's Estimate there has been substantial additional funding, excluding pay increases, amounting to £32.7 million allocated to the community care services.