Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2004
126 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give increased funding for Tralee General Hospital to open a day ward and high dependency unit which has been built and equipped but lies empty and unused due to lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12787/04]
View answer127 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he intends to take to increase funding for Tralee General Hospital which has been under-funded by €2.5 million in 2003 and at least €1.5 million in 2004 which is resulting in the closing of a ward for three months in the summer, due to lack of funds to replace staff on holidays with staff locums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12788/04]
View answerI propose to answer Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together. My Department allocates funding on an annual basis to the Southern Health Board for the provision of health services. Distribution of this funding to individual hospitals in the region is a matter for the board. Therefore, my Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the level of funding provided for Tralee General Hospital.
