asked the Minister for Health if, having regard to the hope expressed by him last year that this would be the last year in which ratepayers would be called upon to bear such a large share of the cost of health services, he will now state the manner and extent of relief for ratepayers in respect of health services in the coming year's estimates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Financing of Health Services.
76.
The relief of local rates will as in recent years be in the form of statutory grant to cover one-half of health costs and supplementary grant related to the requirements of individual health authorities. The health authorities' estimates of the cost of the services in the coming financial year have not yet been received in my Department and I am not, therefore, in a position to indicate the extent of the Exchequer assistance to be provided.
Will the Minister bear in mind that, at present, health authorities throughout the country are preparing their estimates and that the Minister has received already, I understand from one health authority at least, a request for an indication as to the manner in which next year's health services are to be financed? Will the Minister agree with me that, last year, he led at least the Dublin Health Authority to believe that the rates for the year 1968-69 will for the last time be required to contribute in such a substantial measure to the health services? Having regard to these things, would the Minister now give some ray of hope that the local authorities will not have to bear a similar burden next year?
I certainly expressed the hope last year that it would be the last year. As the Minister for Finance said in his Budget statement, steps will be examined to find alternative methods, including insurance for the middle-income group, to finance the health services. This will arise in reply to the next two questions. Perhaps we could deal more appropriately with them there.
I thought the Minister might take the three questions together.
77.
asked the Minister for Health if as a first step to check the spiralling of rates he will remove health charges from local authorities to the National Exchequer.
78.
asked the Minister for Health if he will state, with reference to his undertaking ten months ago to re-examine within 12 months of that time the structure of financing health services, if he is now in a position to indicate the future structure of financing health services.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos 77 and 78 together.
I do not think it realistic to envisage health authorities being relieved entirely of meeting their share of the cost of the health services, but I would agree that it is necessary to consider other methods of finance in order to reduce the impact of health charges on the ratepayers and taxpayers. In accordance with the announcement by the Minister for Finance in the House on 23rd April last, a detailed examination has been undertaken of the feasibility of introducing an insurance or contributory scheme to finance at least part of the cost of the services available to the middle-income group. This examination is now nearly completed.
I think it will be the next Government that will do it.
Do not crow too soon.
I am not crowing at all. I am stating a fact.
It will take another 10 years if they progress at the speed at which this Government are progressing in this matter.
Do not say that about Labour. They expect to be in Government next.