John V. Farrelly
Ceist:39 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Health when costs of £409,000 incurred by the North Eastern Health Board as a result of the flu epidemic which ocurred in the first quarter of 1990 will be paid to the board.
Written Answers. - Influenza Epidemic.
Last February I acknowledged in this House that the exceptional activity in our acute hospital service in December and January last involved additional cost to health agencies. I further indicated that the cost of the additional activity would be met by my Department in such a way that there would be no intrusion on planned service levels in 1990 and that the overall level of hospital activity would be maintained at the levels obtaining in the latter part of 1989. Discussions with the health agencies, including the North Eastern Health Board, to agree the relevant costs are ongoing.