Vol. 572 No. 2
36 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount which has been established to progress the health care package, the health strategy and the primary care strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22545/03]
Costs arising in 2003 in relation to the health service reform programme will be met from within existing allocations.
In relation to funding for the implementation of the health strategy, the budget day package for 2002 provided €209 million revenue and €40 million capital. This funding provided for the development of new initiatives and further development of certain existing services which were set out in the strategy. The additional €209 million revenue included €10 million for primary care general practitioner co-operatives and €5 million for primary care units. The €40 million additional capital funding referred to above includes €5 million for primary care.
An additional €216 million revenue and €18 million capital over 2002 funding was made available in 2003. This represents a continuation of developments initiated in 2002 and enables further progress in implementing the national health strategy. The revenue figure includes €8 million for primary care general practitioner co-operatives and €2 million for primary care units.
Funding for 2004 and subsequent years will be discussed by the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Finance in the context of the 2004 Estimates.
Question No. 37 answered with Question No. 15.
