asked the Minister for Health if he will now advise local authorities as to his Department's contribution for 1970-71.
15.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services Costs.
14.
asked the Minister for Health if, having regard to the difficulties being experienced by health and local authorities by reason of the non-notification by him of the amount of the State contribution to health services costs in the coming year, he will as a matter of urgency issue early notification.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.
I am pleased to inform the House that a substantial amount over and above the Exchequer's normal share of the cost of health services will be provided specifically to limit increases in health rates in 1970-71. Information received from local authorities indicates that these increases would, in the absence of additional relief, be quite substantial in most areas. The additional funds are being distributed so as to enable the increase to be contained within a limit of 2s in the £. Each health authority has been advised of the extent of the grants which will be provided.
Is the Minister aware that in certain health authorities that have circulated or are about to circulate the estimates prepared by their estimates committees or by the county managers increases in the order of 6s, 7s and 8s in the £ are asked for in respect of health services?
I have indicated that the increases will be confined to about 2s in the £.
Is the Minister indicating that the maximum increase to be levied will be about 2s?
I was talking about increases in the health rate. Over and above the present rate the increases will be limited at the most to 2s in the £ and that compares with estimated increases in the health rate 1970-71 which, but for this special grant, vary from 1s to 5s 5d, 5s 9d, 9s 6d, 10s 7d and so on.
Is the Minister saying that any increase in excess of 2s in the £ will be met from the Central Exchequer?
Generally speaking, yes.
Could the Minister go even further and say this is so?
It is to enable the increase to be contained within the limit of 2s in the £. There may be certain minor adjustments and variations; I cannot give a definite statement that it would be the absolute sum of 2s but when the House sees the arrangements that will be made it will find in general it will be satisfactory.
Could the Minister endeavour to indicate to local authorities exactly what they will receive so that they will not attempt to strike a rate without knowing what exactly they may have to find? I appreciate the Minister is being very helpful in offering to reduce the amount but it is extremely difficult unless local authorities know the position.
I gather from my assistant secretary that communications with the authorities are absolutely continuous and nearly all of the arrangements have been made.
Will the Minister definitely state that local authorities have been told what he has said here today; that in general the rate increase for health purposes will not be more than 2/- in the £ and that the balance will be met by the Exchequer?
They have been told that and have been given the actual provision.
Will the Minister state whether this is going to be a permanent arrangement?
I could not guarantee that at all.
The Minister is not going to be as reckless as his predecessor who promised three years ago that there would be no increase at all.
I deny that that is true.
Can the Minister now justify his own failure and that of his predecessors to honour an undertaking which had it been fulfilled, would mean that the rates would now be 25/-to 30/- less in the £ than they are now?
I thought the House was sufficiently aware of the truth by now. I did not bring with me the actual quotation from the White Paper to read to the House.
Question No. 16.
This is a scandalous breach of a solemn undertaking and the ratepayers are suffering——
(Interruptions.)
Order. Question No. 16. Will Deputy Ryan please allow Questions to continue?
The feeling of the public on that was well reflected in the general election.
The Minister is making Deputy Boland nervous with his reference to elections.