Vol. 476 No. 7
33 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Health if he has received a request from the Western Health Board for additional funds for 1998 in order to secure full-year effect on the agreed position between the Western Health Board and Galway Hospice Foundation, which would anticipate the opening of the hospice before summer 1997, allowing for the appointment of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5110/97]
Limerick East): As I have stated previously my Department has included in the Western Health Board's provision for funding an additional revenue allocation of £500,000 in respect of the Galway Hospice Foundation. The figure is additional to the sum of £100,000 already allocated in 1996, giving a total provision of £600,000.
The provision of this additional funding was subject to the Western Health Board and the hospice foundation reaching an acceptable service agreement. In this regard, my Department has been informed by the health board that it has reached the basis of an agreement with the foundation whereby an in-patient service can be provided from 1 May 1997.
The provision of additional funding for the hospice foundation will fall to be considered in the context of my Department's Estimates campaign for 1998, following a review of the Western Health Board's arrangement with the hospice foundation later in the year.
