Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2004
124 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a request from the Eastern Regional Health Authority for funding for the nursery services affected by the withdrawal of the crèche supplements payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12772/04]
View answerThe Eastern Regional Health Authority has written to my Department outlining the cost implications for the area health boards of the withdrawal of the payment of supplementary welfare allowances to supplement the cost of crèche fees. As the Deputy will be aware, health board services have been funded for this year on an existing level of service basis and my Department is not in a position to make additional funding available to the authority to meet the shortfall created by the withdrawal of this payment.
