Vol. 555 No. 2
109 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which the spending incurred by his Department to date in 2002 compares with the amounts allocated in the Book of Estimates; if his Department will come in on target, in regard to expenditure; if he anticipates further cutbacks or adjustments in his Department; the areas in which these will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18038/02]
353 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the adjustments which he plans to introduce in the last quarter of 2002 in order to bring the overall spending for the year in line with the moneys provided in the Estimates. [18419/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 353 together.
The most recent expenditure information, including the General Medical Services, is for end August. Overall the total excess over budget is €173 million or 3.6% of budget. The comparable figures for last year were €156 million or 4.1% of budget. It is important to note that the overall excess at the end of last year was €44 million or only 0.7% of approved spending after account is taken of the supplementary estimate funding for items which have traditionally been funded by supplementaries. It is expected that the end year position will be comparable to end 2001 which I regard as a satisfactory result given the demand led nature of health services.
