Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:165 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the total cost of ESB, telephone and bank charges for each of the health boards.
Written Answers. - Health Boards' Costs.
The information sought by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Health Board |
ESB |
Telephone |
Bank Charges |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
Eastern |
1,149,000 |
1,975,000 |
433,000 |
|
Midland |
594,000 |
676,000 |
74,000 |
|
Mid-Western |
582,000 |
650,000 |
88,000 |
|
North-Eastern |
579,887 |
488,845 |
76,994 |
|
North-Western |
714,000 |
991,000 |
139,000 |
|
South-Eastern |
903,000 |
1,006,000 |
126,000 |
|
Southern |
1,134,741 |
1,085,274 |
256,586 |
|
Western |
840,425 |
1,017,941 |
127,236 |
|
Total |
6,497,053 |
7,890,060 |
1,320,816 |
Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:166 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he is pursuing the securing of special reduced rates for ESB, telephone and bank charges for all health boards.
With regard to the three items of expenditure raised by the Deputy my Department's policy is to pursue all potential efficiencies to contain and reduce these costs.
The ESB and Telecom Éireann operate a standard range of charges for all users. However, my Department endeavours to reduce the costs to the health service by encouraging health boards towards more efficient consumption and elimination of waste both with regard to electricity and telephone costs.
Systems are in place to monitor and manage usage of both these services so as to maximise their most efficient use. My Department is discussing with both the ESB and Telecom Éireann ways and means of exploiting technological developments so as to continue to achieve improved efficiencies.
Each health board has secured reduced rate bank charges. The charges vary somewhat between health boards. In general, health boards have sought to minimise their exposure to these charges.