asked the Minister for Health if he will state the estimated increase in the weekly cost, per head, of maintenance of inmates or patients in (a) local authority institutions and hospitals, and (b) institutions under the control of his Department as a result of the Budget proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Maintenance in Institutions and Hospitals.
The only institution under the control of my Department is Dundrum Asylum. Until the revised contract prices arising out of the Budget proposals become known, it will not be possible to furnish the desired information.
I have not in my Department data which would enable me to make the calculations in respect of the other institutions mentioned in the question even if the revised contract prices were known, and I do not feel that I would be justified in approaching every health authority with a view to their compiling it in respect of every institution under their control.
Is the position then, so far as the Department over which the Minister for Health presides is concerned, that, when the Government took a decision to abolish food subsidies, no attention was given or no estimate made as to the possible consequences of that decision on the cost of maintenance in these institutions?
The Deputy's long question may be answered briefly and accurately—not at all.