asked the Minister for Health if he will furnish an estimate of the approximate annual cost of establishing and operating a free no-means-test general practitioner, medicine, dental, and hospital health service; and the total cost of all existing health services provided from public funds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services.
10.
It has been estimated that the cost of extending services as envisaged in the question would be about £100 millions per annum. There are, however, many factors in this estimate, the effects of which cannot easily be quantified and the estimate must be regarded as approximate. The non-capital expenditure from public funds on the existing health services is estimated at £362 millions for 1978.
That is what we spent on drink, is it not?
I did not spend it on drink.
Lord, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men.
The Deputy asked for specific information and I compiled it for him. I am well aware of where my priorities are but I doubt if I know where the Deputy's are.