asked the Taoiseach the percentage of the gross national product allocated to health services in each of the past three years; and how this compares with similar statistics for Britain, EEC countries and the United States.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services Expenditure.
5.
The net health expenditure by health authorities recognised for State grant purposes— including transfer payments to the household sector but excluding capital expenditure—expressed as a percentage of gross national product at current market prices was as follows: 1969-70, 3.4 per cent; 1970-71, 3.8 per cent and 1971-72, 4 per cent. Figures of public expenditure on health services for recent years are not available for all the countries mentioned in the question. The most recent statistics applicable to all these countries are those contained in The Cost of Social Security, 1964-66 published by the International Labour Office. I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report a statement, prepared from the data in this publication, showing total public expenditure on medical care as a percentage of the gross national product at current market prices for each of the countries mentioned.
Following is the statement:—
PUBLIC expenditure on medical care as a percentage of gross national product at current market prices.
|
Country |
Year to |
% |
|
Ireland |
31st March, 1966 |
3.1 |
|
Great Britain and the Six Counties |
31st March, 1967 |
3.5 |
|
Belgium |
31st December, 1966 |
3.3 |
|
France |
31st December, 1966 |
3.5 |
|
Germany (Federal Republic) |
31st December, 1966 |
3.6 |
|
Italy |
31st December, 1966 |
3.4 |
|
Luxembourg |
31st December, 1966 |
2.2 |
|
Netherlands |
31st December, 1966 |
2.3 |
|
United States |
30th June, 1966 |
1.2 |