Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 1992

Vol. 415 No. 1

Written Answers. - Health Board Finances.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

361 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if she will give details of the most up-to-date information which is available from each health board in relation to (1) their bank overdraft, (2) their outstanding cheques and (3) their cheques due for payment which have been held back; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The bank overdraft and value of payment orders held by the health boards at 24 January 1992, the latest figures available to my Department, is as follows:

Health Board	Bank overdraft	Held Cheques
	£m	£m
Eastern	3.972	9.600
Midland	0.955	1.755
Mid-Western	1.938	1.930
North-Eastern	0.722	1.900
North-Western	1.414	0.000
South-Eastern	0.612	3,703
Southern	0.521	8.200
Western	2.057	0.000
Total	12.191	27.088

It is not possible to give figures for the amount in outstanding cheques as the boards are not yet in a position to complete the necessary bank reconciliations in respect of January 1992.

As my predecessor indicated on a number of occasions the timing of the issue of creditors payments is a matter for each individual agency to decide. It should be noted that in considering the above figures the amount outstanding to creditors on any particular date is related to the timing of payments rather than an indication of its overall financial position.