The cash management system operated by my Department in respect of health boards is based on monthly profiles of the cash available from the Department. These profiles are linked to the approved level of expenditure and the bank position of health boards. They are structured so that agencies will know in advance what the cash availability will be for each quarter of the year. In addition, there are regular contacts with the boards on at least a weekly basis, to determine what payments are likely to fall due in the following week, and to make any necessary adjustments in the release of the available cash.
The Deputy will, however, appreciate that the total cash issued to the agencies must be consistent with the approved expenditure levels and cannot exceed the amount set out in the Estimates for my Department.