asked the Minister for Health if he will state what is the capitation rate suggested as payment to (a) dispensary doctors; (b) voluntary hospitals for (1) examination, (2) diagnosis, (3) treatment and (4) maintenance, in respect of the proposed new and extended health services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Health Services.
I am not yet in a position to give information regarding capitation rates. Discussions have to be held with local authorities and other interested bodies before details of the scheme can be settled.
What is the form of the intended discussions with the local authorities in the matter?
Will it be the same rate in each county or do you contemplate a different rate in different counties?
With regard to the last question, I have no power to order county managers to pay a certain rate or to charge a certain rate, but I think it is likely that they will adopt a uniform rate all over. With regard to Deputy Mulcahy's question, I am meeting the local authorities in groups to discuss with them many matters arising out of the White Paper. Some of these will be the provision of specialised clinics, the provision of hospital beds, etc., and the question of paying for people who have to go to hospitals outside a county.
The scheme seems to be in a somewhat fluid state?
Yes, a lot of these things have to be decided. It is better to get on with the job.
We are full of hope that it will jell out with the winter weather.
asked the Minister for Health if he will state the estimated increased cost of the new and extended health service for each of the next five financial years.
It is not possible at this stage to estimate the cost of the new and extended health service for each of the next five years. Discussions have to be held with local authorities and other interested bodies before details of the scheme can be settled. In addition it is impossible at this stage to determine the speed with which different local authorities will be able to implement various parts of the service.
It will take a lot of frosty weather to jell the scheme out before the end of the year.