Jim Mitchell
Question:42 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions he has had with the Department of Finance on the funding of the health services. [12600/02]
Written Answers. - National Health Strategy.
The future funding requirements of the health services will be, as is normal, the subject of discussions in terms of the annual Estimates process. The health strategy, Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You, sets out a programme of investment and reform that will stretch over the next decade. The recommendations as set out in the strategy have been accepted by the Government.
In line with the commitment to the strategy, the Government's 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. Additional funding under the no policy change Estimates process, made available for 2002 a further €161 million for the items described as development of existing services in the strategy. Gross funding available for the health services in 2002 amounts to just under €8.2 billion which, when compared to the corresponding 2001 figure, is an increase of over €1.3 billion, 19.5%.
The record of this Government demonstrates the importance that has been placed on securing additional investment for the health services. Since 1997, this Government has increased investment 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.