Vol. 567 No. 1
317 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has estimated or quantified the cost to the health service of treatment in hospitals of the victims of road traffic accidents; if not, the estimate of the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13483/03]
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the cost to the health service of the treatment in hospitals of the victims of road accidents is not available in my Department. However, the Deputy may be interested to know that a cross-departmental review of road safety expenditure has been established under the auspices of the Department of Transport. One of its objectives will be to estimate the cost of dealing with road accidents generally. I understand that the first meeting of the cross-departmental review steering group is due to take place shortly.
318 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Health and Children if an annual estimation or quantification of cost to the health service is available for hospital admissions for general practitioner treatment for victims of assaults of a public disorder nature; if not, the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13484/03]
Depending on the nature of the injury, patients who require medical attention as a result of assaults of a public disorder nature may present at or be brought to the emergency medicine department of a hospital. In other circumstances a person might attend their own general practitioner to be treated. The cost to the health service for the treatment of such victims is not available in my Department.
