Health Board Funding.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2004

Thursday, 2 December 2004

Questions (83)

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

58 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Eastern Regional Health Authority is facing an overrun of €25 million in 2004 and the main teaching hospitals in Dublin had a deficit of €17 million for the first eight months of 2004; the steps that are being taken to address these financial problems, especially having regard to their potential impact on services for patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31554/04]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The most recent figures reported by the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, show that the authority has a cumulative variance over period budget of €9.5 million to the end of October 2004, €5 million of which is recorded in the voluntary acute sector. In his report for October, the regional chief executive is forecasting a break-even position for the region by the end of 2004. This will be achieved through the use of the remaining funds, including the authority's and individual agencies' contingency funds, and by the continued effective management of the situation by the authority and its service providers, including the Dublin academic teaching hospitals.

On the impact on services for patients, the activity figures for acute hospitals in the region show an increase of 4.9% to the end of September over the same period last year.

Question No. 59 answered with QuestionNo. 13.

Question No. 60 answered with QuestionNo. 27.