Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 1

Written Answers. - Health Care Funding.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

593 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if the extra funding allocated to the health care sector in the new fiscal year will go towards meeting previously agreed salary increases of health care workers rather than to reduce the overcrowding in the major acute hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1899/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The funding received for 1999 will provide for approved increases in pay, both general and special pay awards, inflation in line with the consumer price index and funding for service developments, including waiting list funding of £20 million, |25.395 million, to be put in place during the year.