Vol. 552 No. 4
26 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding arrangements which have been put in place to ensure that all the provisions of the national health strategy can be implemented over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12540/02]
The Government has accepted the recommendations as set out in the health strategy, Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You. As is normal practice, my Department will be entering into detailed discussions with the Department of Finance to agree funding requirements for 2003 and beyond, including funding for strategy specific issues.
The budget day package published in December 2001 provided funding for 2002 which amounted to €209 million revenue and €40 million capital in respect of the health strategy initiatives. This funding will provide for the development of new initiatives and further development of certain existing services which are described in the strategy. In addition to the budget day package, the Abridged Estimates Volume 2002, published last November, made available for 2002 a further €161 million for the items described as development of existing services in the strategy.
I remind the Deputy that the record of this Government has been unparalleled in relation to its resourcing of the health and children's services. Since 1997 to date, the investment in this area has increased from a level of under €3.5 billion to the current level at just under €8.2 billion, which represents an increase of over 134%. In the normal course, Estimates discussions commence in early summer in respect of 2003 funding and it will be a matter for the new Government to decide its priorities at that point.
