Michael Creed
Ceist:7 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will consider introducing multi-annual funding for health boards, in order to facilitate long-term planning, particularly in the area of services for the elderly.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Health Board Funding.
The question of introducing multi-annual budgeting cannot be determined in relation to the health services only. It is a broader question affecting all Departments of State. However, my Department will be pursuing this matter in the context of the recommendations made by the Commission on Health Funding, in relation to the future organisation of health services.
Is the Minister aware of the five-year plan submitted by the Southern Health Board for the care of the elderly? Would the Minister not accept that in order to maximise the services there must be a guarantee of funding over the five-year period? The programme manager for community care in the Southern Health Board mentioned that in the correspondence from the health board to the Department, and yet in a letter from an official of the Department——
Quotations at Question Time are not in order.
I would just make the point that the correspondence to the Southern Health Board from the Department of Health——
The Deputy is making a statement, if not a speech. That is not good enough. We must have a brief, relevant question, Deputy Creed.
The level of funding will be dependent on allocations to the Department of Health next year. Does the Minister not accept that that is an unsatisfactory way of delivering services to the elderly in the Southern Health Board region?
The Commission on Health Funding recommended multi-annual budgeting and we are looking at it in the context of what the commission recommended. However, the important thing it is a broader question affecting all Departments. Traditionally, as the Deputy is aware, there has been annual budgeting affecting all Departments. As I have told the Deputy, we are pursuing it in the context of the recommendations of the commission.
Does the Minister not accept that it is impossible for health boards to plan effectively for development of new services without having more certainty as to where they stand in future years? Would the Minister not consider devising medium-term arrangements for health boards within the confines of annual budgeting to give assurances with regard to the broad development of services.
There are advantages and disadvantages in multi-annual budgeting. Certainly from many Departments' point of view multi-annual budgeting would be the ideal way forward. As against that, depending on the finances of the State there could be a problem in ensuring that the money is available. The health boards know exactly where they stand now because we have moved from the days of runaway spending.
The Minister has not paid the ‘flu money yet.
(Interruptions.)
Let us hear the Minister.
He has not paid the money for the ‘flu epidemic.
There is no need for disorder.
While acknowledging the Minister's reply that the commission on health funding indicated that to have any effective planning and development we would need a forward plan for finance, and understanding the fact that the commission report has been in the Minister's hands since last September, at least, when will the Minister make a decision in relation to the many recommendations in that report?
As the Deputy will appreciate, the question relating to the introduction of multi-annual funding is not specifically a matter for the Minister for Health. It involves a number of Departments.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Minister pay the money for the 'flu?
They are still waiting, in my constituency for money that your Government promised in 1981.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 8 please, without interruption.