Vol. 557 No. 6
197 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if carers, children, the elderly and those with disabilities will not be disadvantaged in the course of financial constraints likely to be imposed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23183/02]
The total funding available to my Department for next year represents a 9% increase in current spending year on year. Additional funding will be available for a number of different care groups including those mentioned by the Deputy. I am confident that, in preparing their service plans for 2003, every effort will be made by health boards to ensure that services to these groups will not be adversely affected.
