Vol. 472 No. 8
70 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of setting up the new Eastern Regional Health Authority; if there will be additional administration costs due to the structure of the new authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24221/96]
Limerick East): It is not envisaged that the proposals for new structures in the Eastern Health Board region will lead to an increase in overall health expenditure in the area. The new authority is expected to improve the management and utilisation of resources. The outcome should be better value for money and, through the proposed arrangements for service agreements between the authority and the voluntary hospitals and agencies, a more transparent funding system, making it easier to evaluate outputs and outcomes.
