Vol. 480 No. 2
202 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health the percentage increase on the 1997 post-budget Estimate for current expenditure which will be required to run his Department on a "no-policy change" basis in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13976/97]
My Department together with the Department of Finance have been involved in extensive discussions regarding the matter of agreeing "no policy change" Estimates for the health services for the years 1998 to 2000. The Deputy will understand that the principal of a "no policy change" Estimate, while accepted as necessary for Government as a basis for determining future public expenditure parameters, is a difficult concept to implement in respect of the ongoing provision of the health services. The cost of delivering health services changes from year to year as a result of demographic factors, improvements in technology, drug therapies and other advances in the delivery of services.
The issue of determining the effect of such developments on the delivery and cost of the health services in the context of the "no policy changes" Estimate has received sympathetic consideration from the Department of Finance. However final decisions regarding the level of funding will be taken within the context of the Government programme An Action Programme for the Millennium. To date significant progress has been made on establishing a “no policy change” Estimate, however no agreement has been reached by Government on a precise figure. I am confident that the Government will agree an appropriate estimate for the health services which will secure the continued provision of the existing level of services.
