Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 3

Written Answers. - Drogheda (Louth) Hospital Funding.

Michael Bell

Question:

89 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health the subsidy/grant paid from his Department to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, over the last ten years; the percentage increase and decrease over the same period for each year; the financial contribution for 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5191/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

Year	Revised non- capital allocation	Change on previous year
	£m	%
1985	9.222	5.15
1986	9.519	3.22
1987	8.993	-5.53
1988	9.034	0.46
1989	9.604	6.31
1990	11.108	15.66
1991	12.412	11.74
1992	13.813	11.29
1993	14.645	6.02
1994	15.565	6.28

The Deputy will recall that the figures for the years 1987 and 1988 reflect the then Government's policy to seek significant reductions in Exchequer spending, resulting in a substantial diminution in funds available to this Department. The period 1990 to 1992 takes account of special provisions including expenditure on national pay agreements, the catch-up process on elements deferred in previous years, and a phased reinvestment in certain service areas.

The 1995 level of non-capital expenditure determined for the hospital is £15.980 million. This level of expenditure will allow the hospital to continue to provide its full range of services.