Vol. 548 No. 5
231 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a number of chief executive officers of health boards have been telling board members that some of the developments and policies adopted by the board cannot be implemented as the necessary funding has not been provided. [5325/02]
Total health voted spending in 2002 will be of the order of €8,188.582 million, of which capital is €486.575 million and non-capital is €7692.007 million. When compared with the 2001 figures, the capital programme represents an increase of 41% and the non-capital represents an increase of 21% approximately. The budget package of €428 million will allow for a significant number of service developments over and above those initiated in 2001. Overall, the additional funding in 2002 will support additional service provision in major programmes, such as: bed capacity, €40 million; treatment purchase fund, €30 million; intellectual disabilities-autism, €39 million; physical disabilities-training, €47 million; older people, €81 million; child care, €45 million and acute hospitals, €70 million. It should be noted that much of the additional funding will support service initiatives as identified in the new health strategy document “Quality and fairness, a health system for you”. The letters of determination for 2002 to health boards-authority include funding for these new developments. The service plans approved by the various health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority including provision for these developments in 2002 with the exception of the bed capacity and treatment purchase fund.
I am satisfied that the increased funding for services in 2002 will make a further important impact, following four years of continuous increased investment by the Government. Since coming into office this Government has increased spending on the health service by 124%, over the years 1997 to 2001, and despite the enormous pressures and demands, it has, and will in 2002, make a difference. All of the ills within the system cannot be satisfied or remedied within the short-term. In general, the response to the level of funding for 2002 has been positive and I look forward to reviewing progress with the health boards-authority during the year.
