Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospice Funding.

Paul McGrath

Question:

146 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the moneys paid by his Department to the various hospice movements around the country; if he provides a fixed proportion of staff costs to each of those groups; and the plans, if any, he has to increase this intervention. [16306/97]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

The amount of money allocated by my Department in 1997 under the cancer strategy in respect of palliative care services is as follows:

Health Board	Funding
	£
Eastern Health Board	930,000
Midland Health Board	–
Mid-Western Health Board	200,000
North-Eastern Health Board	–
North-Western Health Board	450,000
South-Eastern Health Board	–
Southern Health Board	100,000
Western Health Board	520,000
Total	2,200,000

In addition, some health boards have allocated resources to individual hospice movements, details of which are available from the chief executive officers of the health boards.

As the Deputy will be aware, the national cancer strategy provides for a phased programme of development of hospice services including the provision of additional staff. The proportion of funding assigned to staff costs is agreed following consultation between the health boards, the hospice and my Department.

It is my intention to continue this programme of development as resources permit.